An innovative forensic spray to help keep victims of stalking and domestic abuse safe is to be rolled for the first time in Cumbria.
SmartWater – invisible to the naked eye but which shows up under UV light – is to be given out to people suffering at the hands of stalkers and abusers.
The substance can be traced to specific victims and abusers, giving police proof of contact between them.
In 2022, the first person in the UK was convicted and jailed for domestic abuse using the technology and forces across the country have been adopting it.
The firm behind SmartWater said it had an 100% conviction rate.
Cumbria Constabulary said canisters of the liquid would be handed out to victims with the aim of making perpetrators think twice before carrying out offences.
The marking substance can be sprayed on the perpetrator if they approach them.
SmartWater stays on clothing and skin for several weeks and the force said it will act as another investigative tool in putting together a criminal case.
Detective Superintendent Matt Scott is the head of public protection at Cumbria police.
He said: “We understand the enormous impact these offences can have on people – so any method we can use to help people feel safe is welcome.
“Preventing incidents of domestic abuse and stalking, catching those who offend and protecting people from such abuse are key priorities for all our officers.
“Nobody should ever have to suffer such offences – and we hope the use of this marking scheme will offer reassurance and stop anyone caught up in this cycle of abuse in their tracks.”
Specialist public protection officers will decide on a case-by-case basis who to issue the cannisters to.
