New Zealand DNA Trial Reduces Burglary By 61%

Thursday, 13 May 2010

BURGLARIES in a New Zealand suburb have been reduced by 61% following a recently completed trial of the theft-deterrent product SelectaDNA.

A total of 1,000 homes, businesses and schools in the the Manurewa suburb of Randwick Park were issued with SelectaDNA forensic property marking kits in September last year (2009).
 
The first New Zealand trial of SelectaDNA has been supported by Manukau City Council and Victim Support, and has significantly helped the Randwick Park community feel safer, according to Inspector Jason Hewett, Area Commander for Counties Manukau East, part of the Counties Manukau Police District.

“We saw that SelectaDNA trials had worked well in the UK and we are pleased that the results of New Zealand’s first SelectaDNA trial have produced a similar outcome,” said Inspector Hewett.
 
SelectaDNA is a virtually invisible synthetic DNA solution which can be used to mark personal property. Each batch of solution contain a unique DNA code which is registered on a secure database. The code proves irrefutable evidence of property ownership.

Director of SelectaDNA NZ Ltd, David Morrissey, said the trial proved the crime-deterrent is a comprehensive prevention strategy. “What we’ve seen in Randwick Park is the same as we’ve seen in the UK and the Netherlands.”
 
He continued: “Highly visible signage and word of mouth among the criminal fraternity is proving to be a very successful way to deter theft and burglary. They know that if they steal, they’re marked.”

Police can detect the presence of SelectaDNA by shining a UV light onto stolen property – the solution glows bright blue. The solution also contains microdots embedded with a unique code that are readable under a microscope. A sample the size of a pinhead is enough to draw a conclusive match.

Each kit comes with hi-visibility deterrent stickers that householders can display in their windows to show that their property is marked.

Mr Morrissey says he was always confident the deterrent would work. He concluded: “We brought this product to New Zealand because we were 100% certain that SelectaDNA is an effective and affordable security solution that can make New Zealanders feel safer in their communities by protecting their property.”

For further press information and images contact: Angela Singleton, Press Officer for Selectamark. Mobile: 07905 623 819. Email: angelasingleton@onetel.com