SmartWater

Openreach cable across the UK is now forensically marked with SmartWater, an invisible solution that is virtually impossible to remove and can be traced to the individual street of origin.

The rollout of this cutting-edge technology is part of an ongoing partnership between BT's Metal Theft Taskforce, British Transport Police and SmartWater. It's being used to both deter thieves from targeting the network, and also to capture and convict repeat offenders.

Illegally removing cable marked with SmartWater is likely to result in tools, clothing and vehicles becoming contaminated with the invisible solution. As a result, thieves will inadvertently carry around evidence of their crime wherever they go, risking prosecution long after a crime has been committed.

Regular police checks for SmartWater are being carried out at scrap yards and recycling centres, making it increasingly difficult for thieves to sell stolen metal. A growing number of scrap dealers are equipping themselves with SmartWater detection equipment, and refusing to handle any metal or cable marked with SmartWater.

In areas where theft is re-occurring, SmartWater trap devices will be deployed to capture persistent and prolific cable thieves. Once activated, these non-hazardous devices spray offenders in a chemically coded liquid that covers their skin, clothing and hair. This can then be used by police to link offenders back to a particular crime scene.

Openreach and SmartWater