Forensic marking helps bring down lockdown domestic abuse in South Yorkshire
The technology's usually used to prevent theft and burglary
We're hearing groundbreaking forensic marking technology's helping protect victims of domestic abuse through the pandemic in South Yorkshire.
Police are planting an invisible liquid called SmartWater in homes of those who've been targeted which can prove an abuser was there if they come into contact with it.
DCI Lee Berry says the the threat of it has led to a fall of 69% in incidents:
"With the issues with Covid-19, and in general, domestic abuse can be very hard for us to be aware of. And even when we are aware of it, it can be very difficult for us to prove the offences because a lot of times it's behind closed doors.
"SmartWater puts us in the best position to prevent it happening but also prove an individual has been in a certain place."
“In addition to the reduction in the number of incidents, we have also seen that of all of the victims surveyed, 86% of victims now feel safer and 78% have reported that the initiative has had a positive impact on them."
SmartWater is usually used to mark property and prevent theft, but it's thought the South Yorkshire force is among the first to have used it instead to tackle domestic abuse.
It's all been possible through funding from the county's Violence Reduction Unit.
Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said:
“Domestic abuse is a serious crime and both the Violence Reduction Unit and South Yorkshire Police are committed to tackle it and protect vulnerable victims.
“SmartWater is one way we can do this. Where, for example, abusers are continuing to deny that they are contacting the victim, property can be forensically sprayed and this will leave a mark on the offender which can be seen under ultra violet light.
"This may be crucial evidence in enabling perpetrators to be brought to justice.
“I am pleased to see how we have been able to make a significant difference to the lives of some people across South Yorkshire and I urge anyone who is in an abusive situation to make themselves known to the police.”
It comes after we investigated the shocking rise in domestic abuse during the first lockdown - there's more on our On The Inside investigation here.