Police launched an Australia-first burglary prevention trial – the brainchild of Geelong’s top cop – in Norlane on Tuesday.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh launched the six-month trial of a property marking-liquid, which begins in 1000 homes across Geelong and Whittlesea on Friday.
Residents can apply the liquid to up to 50 valuable items and it is near impossible to remove.
The liquid contains a unique synthetic DNA code, which police can identify with a UV lamp, allowing them to return stolen items to the registered owner.
AC Walsh hoped the technology would “go a long way in deterring thieves and driving down the number of residential burglaries.”
Police would accompany the trial with house signage to further deter potential offenders, she said.
Geelong Superintendent Craig Gillard came across the technology two years ago during a study trip to the UK and USA.
“As I talked to my colleagues in these countries I learnt how widespread this technology was,” Supt Gillard told the Indy recently.
“Having read the evaluation reports I knew that this technology was having a real impact on lowering crime rates and I thought we really need to try this out in Australia.”
Supt Gillard hoped the technology would further reduce burglary rates, which decreased slightly between April 2016 and March 2017, following an increase of 25 per cent the previous year.
“This pilot represents 18 months of hard work getting it up,” he said.
“I’m always ready to try new things because, when it comes to crime prevention, if you keep on doing the same things you keep having the same results.
“There are going to be a lot of eyes on the results of this pilot so we are all going to be working very hard to make it a success.”
Victoria Police, RACV, Neighbourhood Watch, Crime Stoppers and Federation University joined forces as Safety Alliance Victoria for the trial.
Police Minister Lisa Neville joined the assistant commissioner for the launch at Norlane’s Centenary Hall.
“This will be a major deterrent for thieves and is just one of many crime prevention initiatives Safety Alliance Victoria will trial in an effort to reduce residential burglaries,” she said.
AC Walsh reminded residents to “play their part” in preventing burglaries by securing homes, removing valuables from sight and making their homes look occupied.
“Our intelligence shows that one third of all homes broken into have no sign of forced entry,” AC Walsh said.
