SmartWater forensic technology is being trialled by Northamptonshire Police and local hauliers as part of a scheme to catch truck thieves.

 In an attempt to reduce freight crime in the region, Northamptonshire Police has secured funding from the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) and Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited for the SmartWater Index Spray device.

The spray can be placed on all lorry parts, including the cab or curtains, or even on a pallet load. If an offender is sprayed, the dye can be seen on their skin for a minimum of six months and their clothes will be stained forever. SmartWater is only visible under a UV light. Drivers will normally be made aware of where the spray is fitted to avoid disturbance, says the force's crime prevention manager, Mike Franklin.

The police will not reveal which haulage firms are using the system so thieves do not have a prior warning. "It is not a cheap installation, with a standard cartridge costing approximately £165, but it is an extremely efficient way of bringing offenders to justice," Franklin adds.

The force is the first in the UK to use SmartWater on lorries, but a manufacturer's spokesman says it has been  successfully used to catch car thieves. He suspects it could be rolled out to other forces.