Targeted tagging | Manchester Police deploy forensic spray against bike thugs

Police officers in Greater Manchester have started using a new water-based forensic spray against anti-social (ASB) and nuisance motorbike riders, helping to link them and their vehicles to offences.

The product, known as SmartTag, is produced by DeterTeck UK and is also set to be used on e-bike riders, and those on quads.

Each SmartWater spray solution has a unique forensic code within it, meaning the riders and vehicles covered in the liquid can later be linked to a crime. This can be done using a UV light, with the formula showing up in bright yellow when highlighted.

According to its makers, SmartWater has a 100% conviction rate in contested Court cases.

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“We are continuing with our commitment to dealing with ASB riders across Greater Manchester,” Superintendent John-Paul Ruffle said. “We have seen 10 arrests made in the first six weeks of this operation and 54 bikes seized in the process.

“This device will hopefully act as a deterrent to those participating in anti-social behaviour on motorbikes, e-bikes and quadbikes as they now know that they will be sprayed with a solution that will link them back to the scene of the crime.”

Police in the area are asking anyone with information on this kind of crime, as well as where bikes are being stored, to contact the force on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Crime stoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Inspector Michael Crosthwaite from our Wigan District also spoke about the success of the sprays in his jurisdiction, stating 19 motorbikes have been seized, alongside five arrests that are now being progressed to prosecution.

“We will be putting up signs in areas around Wigan where we know off-road bikers will be, alerting them to SmartTag being in operation in that area, we would rather prevent ASB in its early stages than it be a reoccurring problem,” Insp Crosthwaite added.

“That is our aim, we will mark these bikes and further down the line when we come across them, we can tag them to those previous incidents, take them forward to prosecution and to get the message across to the public that we are doing something about this issue.”