Grease Tightens Up Derbyshire Lead Security

A COATING of high-tech grease has been applied to properties in and around Kilburn, Derbyshire, to reassure residents and help protect them from metal thefts.

A number of homes in the area have had lead stripped from their windows and roofs by thieves in recent weeks. Forensic marking product SelectaDNA Grease is being used to help prevent this and the crime prevention initiative is being funded by Amber Valley Community Safety Partnership.

Police have made sure lead that could be targeted by offenders is covered in the grease. Anyone who comes into contact with it will be left with it on their hands and clothing and be unable to remove it. It contains a special DNA code that links offenders with the crime.

Traces of the substance become visible under ultraviolet scanners, with which all police stations in Derbyshire are equipped.

Notices advising people that properties have been treated with the grease have been erected in the areas concerned as part of the project.

Belper Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant Richard Booth, one of the officers who has deployed the grease, said: “A number of residents did not even realise they had been targeted by offenders until we called. The grease is a high-tech tool that should prove effective in deterring thieves and reassuring our communities. Everyone we have visited has been very appreciative of the work on this.”

The high prices being paid for scrap lead have triggered thefts nationwide.

Sally Price, Community Safety Officer with Amber Valley Community Safety Partnership, said: “We are pleased to be able to help out with this issue. As well as supplying the grease we are also asking police Safer Neighbourhood Teams to remind scrap dealers throughout the borough of their responsibilities.”

By law, dealers have to log a description and weight of the metal they are trading, the date and time they received it, the full name and address of the person trading the metal, the price payable, if any, or estimated value of the metal traded and registration details of the vehicle which came to the yard or office with the metal.