Police in Broadland have been given further funding to roll out a security marking initiative to trace the tracks of burglars.

The high tech property marking solution, SelectaDNA will now reach more victims of crime thanks to a £3000 cash injection.

Since the initiative was launched, last October in the Broadland district, police have visited more than 500 previous victims of crime, looking back over a two year period, to offer a free SelectaDNA marking kit to improve their security and protect their homes against thieves.

"We are issuing various SelectaDNA products to even more homeowners and businesses so thieves need to be aware"

Inspector Brian Pincher

Officers have also visited commercial premises and places of worship that have previously been targeted by opportunist thieves to offer grease and canister sprays, which physically marks the burglar when contact is made to the grease and the canister is activated.

The extra money will enable the scheme to be extended further afield to North Norfolk and will be offered to victims of crime over the next two years.

Inspector Brian Pincher said: “We are issuing various SelectaDNA products to even more homeowners and businesses so thieves need to be aware.

“The spray kits and grease are extremely effective and are being used on lead at a number of churches, schools and village halls across the area. If an offender breaks into a property installed with spray or has had grease applied the offender will get covered with the solution which is almost impossible to remove.

“When the offenders are stopped and checked with UV lamps they will glow making it possible for us to link them back to the burglary, making a quicker arrest and prosecution.

“Thieves need to think twice as there is more chance of getting caught, especially now as more homes and businesses are joining us in the fight against crime”.

Officers are only issuing kits to victims of crime but anyone wishing to secure their property can order various SelectaDNA kits from a number of police stations across the county at discounted rates.

Councillor Simon Woodbridge, Leader of Broadland District Council said: "Broadland District Council takes the safety of all who live and work in this district seriously and continuously work to ensure that all feel safe and secure by continuing to reduce crime and disorder.

"The use of SelectaDNA is a unique way to ensure that the likelihood of becoming of victim is reduced even further, secure vulnerable premises and increase the likelihood that offenders are caught and brought to justice through the use of this quick and easy tool. We are pleased that so many individuals and businesses are already benefiting from the use of the SelectaDNA kits".

Rheanne Scott, Broadland Council Community Safety Partnership Co-ordinator said: "Broadland Community Safety Partnership is committed to keeping Broadland the safest place to live and work in East Anglia. In funding this product, we are partnering with homes and businesses by providing an additional tool to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim, bring greater peace of mind and prove a clear link between offenders and their crimes so that justice can be done".

Custody officers continue to routinely scan prisoners who are taken into custody with handheld UV torches to check if they have UV/DNA markers on them, if they test positively the evidence will strengthen the case and investigation.