Smart measures in bid to reduce village burglaries

11:50am Sunday 6th July 2008

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A CRACKDOWN on burglary in a north Hampshire village has had a dramatic effect.

Measures to tackle a surge in burglaries in North Waltham appear to have worked, with no incidents reported since their introduction.

Police marked residents' property with traceable forensic liquid and a recruitment drive was held for Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators.

The village was troubled with burglaries last year, when figures shot up from one in 12 months to eight in the last six months.

About 80 households took up a police offer to daub valuables for free with "SmartWater", a liquid with unique forensic properties similar to DNA, which can be viewed under an ultraviolet light.

In May, a drive to recruit Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators resulted in 100 per cent street coverage.

This week, SmartWater signs were attached to the three main village gateways.

Sergeant Heather Brearey, of the Basingstoke rural safer neighbourhood team, said: "For a village as small as North Waltham, the jump in the number of burglaries was very high.

"We worked very hard with the community, who really got on board with what we were trying to do, to send out the message that this will not be tolerated in the village.

"We're very pleased with the results, but will not rest on our laurels."

Richard Tanner, Neighbourhood Watch group co-ordinator, said: "The spate of burglaries left people in the village feeling suspicious and worried."

He said relaunching and reorganising the Neighbourhood Watch system had delivered results.

Alan Purkiss, deputy chairman of North Waltham Parish Council, said: "Before I was co-ordinator for 64 houses, now I manage about 16 because so many more people are involved."

He said SmartWater, which normally costs £44 for a household, had proved a deterrent.