In a bid to cut crime, the Superdrug store in Witham is to start using cutting-edge forensic science as a way of catching intruders.

The health and beauty store is among 100 others in the chain around the country, installing the sophisticated security system, SmartWater Index Solutions.

It sprays intruders with water that has been forensically encoded with a chemical fingerprint.

Peter Love of SmartWater, said: "It is a low pressure water sprinkler that sprays the intruder for 40 seconds. You cannot see the chemical in normal light, but it glows under ultra violet light. It is a deterrent to criminals."

When the police are then questioning suspects about various incidents, they can check them for the chemical, and then trace that back to the store it came from.

Last year, the police were able to convict more than 60 criminals, achieving a 100 per cent conviction rate.

SmartWater's joint managing director, Phil Cleary, said: "Criminals have the greatest fear and respect for the power of forensic science - it is just like a fortress.

"Reports from police and users say that where SmartWater is deployed, it is a proven and formidable weapon in the fight against crime."

According to Mr Cleary, who used to be a police officer, it is also almost impossible for the criminal to remove, as even the slightest trace can be analysed by the Forensic Science Service for vital evidence.

A Superdrug spokesperson said: "We have permanently installed SmartWater Index Solutions at this store. We will continue to invest in cutting-edge technology to protect our staff, customers and stores."

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