Police in Peterborough Roll-Out Tagging & Defence Sprays to Tackle Moped Menaces

Peterborough Police are using SelectaDNA Tagging & Defence Sprays to combat a rise in powered two-wheeler enabled crime and anti-social behaviour.

Officers have been trained on how to successfully use the Tagging & Defence Sprays in a bid to tackle a spate of moped-related crimes.

Lindsay Sharp, Councilor for Hampton Vale, said: “It’s worth noting similar issues are being seen in Hampton from youths riding motorbikes in a dangerous and anti-social behaviour throughout Hampton often on pavements and footpaths. I’m pleased to say the Neighbourhood Police team have been engaging on how we tackle this. Again, there are obvious risks from doing so - but we need to stamp it out.”

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson, said: ‘’The spray can be aimed by our officers at the bikes and their riders to tag them with an ‘invisible DNA’ (which is non-toxic and
environmentally safe) that will then provide us with forensic evidence to link them back to a specific incident, if the bike and its rider are not able to be stopped at that specific time.

“If the bike is later stopped and seized, we are then able to scan it, pinpoint where it was sprayed and identify those who are causing disruption.”

Also in Cambridge City, due to the recent spike in powered two-wheeler enabled crime and anti-social behaviour, Cambridgeshire Constabulary have rolled-out the use of SelectaDNA Tagging Sprays within their neighbourhood team.

Integrating SelectaDNA solutions into their crime-fighting portfolio, will help officers spray riders from a distance with an invisible synthetic DNA solution and UV marker, providing irrefutable evidence that links the criminal to the crime.

Sergeant Neil Campbell, from the City East Neighbourhood Team, said: “We understand the considerable disruption that a handful of individuals are causing to the daily lives of residents.

“The integration of SelectaDNA represents a significant stride in our tireless pursuit to prevent vehicle thefts in Cambridge city. The roll out of these kits signifies a progressive approach in convicting offenders and deterring others from offending.”