Police spray anti-social bikers with 'forensic' water to trace them

Greater Manchester Police
Officers are using the 'coded' liquid to spray suspects and vehicles, as in this reconstruction. Credit: Greater Manchester Police

Police officers called out to anti-social behaviour involving motorbikes and quad bikes are spraying riders and their vehicles with a traceable liquid.

The spray has what Greater Manchester Police describe as a "unique forensic code" which can tie potential offenders back to a crime scene.

Known as SmartTag, the sprayed liquid glows under ultraviolet light and - according to the force - has already led to a number of arrests.

When lit by a UV lamp the solution can link both bike and rider back to a crime scene. Credit: Greater Manchester Police

Superintendent John-Paul Ruffle said: "We have seen 10 arrests made in the first six weeks of this operation and 54 bikes seized in the process.

"This device will hopefully act as a deterrent to those participating in anti-social behaviour on motorbikes, e-bikes and quadbikes as they now know that they will be sprayed with a solution that will link them back to the scene of the crime."

Traceable liquids have been used by banks, retailers and other businesses for years. Credit: PA Images
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Those behind the technology point to its decades of use deterring theft of cash and products in various industries, as well as its conviction rate in court.

"Each canister contains a unique forensic solution," said DeterTech UK's Gary Higgins, "that categorically links offenders and property to the scene of a crime.

"SmartWater has a 100 per cent conviction rate in contested court cases."