Burglars are being warned that they are wasting their time trying to break into homes marked with SelectaDNA.

The initiative rolled out in an attempt to reduce household and commercial burglaries in the Broadland area has seen in excess of 500 properties receiving a kit to mark their property, since the scheme was launched at the end of last year.

Now that the scheme has been established and a number of homeowners and businesses have opted in, street signs advertising the scheme, funded by Broadland District Council, have been erected to warn off criminals.

It is hoped that criminals will think twice before entering the SelectaDNA areas and realise that the chances of get caught are much greater. 

Recently in Kings Lynn, a thief from Wisbech was uncovered after a similar high tech security marking solution was found on stolen property recovered at his home.  He was sentenced to 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 to the victim.

Inspector Brian Pincher said: "Thieves needs to think twice about stealing  or breaking in to houses in Norfolk. Property is permanently marked and  we can now easily trace it back to the rightful owners, this makes stolen goods very difficult to dispose of and easier for us to prosecute offenders.

"We have also installed in some locations spray units that soak villains with an indelible liquid that glows under our lights. This also has a DNA marker in it linking offenders to the crime. Norfolk and in particular Broadland is not the place to commit crime!"

Rheanne Scott, Community Safety Partnerships Coordinator for Broadland District Council said:  "The Broadland Community Safety Partnership takes the safety of all those who live and work in Broadland seriously and are committed to keeping our district one of the safest places in England.  

"Burglars need to beware that hundreds of homes and businesses are using the latest property marking technology by SelectaDNA, which gives criminal justice agencies, residents and business a new tool to clearly prove the link between offenders, stolen property and their victims so that justice can be done".