Moped theft crackdown in Cambridgeshire boosted by invisible DNA spray trial
The spray is being trialled by police over the next six months
Police in Cambridgeshire hope an invisible DNA spray will track down more moped riders involved in theft across our county.
The spray, currently being trialled for six months, would be used on riders who are either riding dangerously on pavements and footpaths, or suspected to be involved in crime as well as the vehicles they are on.
The SelectaDNA kits, which are non-toxic and contain mostly water, will provide officers with evidence they can use to link individuals and vehicles back to a specific offence if the bike and its rider are unable to be stopped at the time of the incident.
"Once this spray's on them, it doesn't wash off"
Sergeant Neil Campbell is from the Cambridge East neighbourhood team and is helping lead the trial in the city.
"The problem is we've had an evidence gap of proving who it is on those bikes," he said.
"We've got a good idea who the suspects involved are but can't evidentially prove it; this spray closes that gap and means we can act, detain, arrest and prosecute them for offences.
"The riders believe themselves to be untouchable and they know if they don't wear a helmet, they're unlikely to be chased because of the risks involved.
"Once this spray is on them, it's on them for weeks and doesn't wash off; once there's a prosecution or several prosecutions, I think our offences will significantly reduce."
Other police forces across England have used invisible DNA spray, which has a range of 5 to 8 metres, to catch suspects involved in thefts and anti-social behaviour.
At the end of the trial, Cambridgeshire Police will consider whether to use the kit permanently across all parts of the county.
"Other forces have seen a significant drop in offences; the figures I've been told is 60 to 80 per cent reductions in offences and we hope to achieve that here as well," Sgt Campbell said.
"The thefts we're seeing a lot of the time involve a lot of delivery-type e-bikes; we've got a lot of riders that want us to act and stop the thefts, and it will make a difference."