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BT Openreach has announced that it will begin deploying new technology in a bid to combat cable theft.

The technology is called ‘Smartwater’ and was developed by a company of the same name. It is an invisible paint that can be used to forensically ‘tag’ metal thieves.  Would-be thieves that get tagged can be traced by the police, and connected to the equipment and its location as the invisible liquid will be unique to a particular location.  In hot-spot areas, trap devices will also be deployed that will also spray criminals with Smartwater.

Cable theft from the BT network affects broadband and phoneline services to customers, so BT hopes the new measures will deter thieves as well capture and convict persistent offenders.

Smartwater is also being used by companies like Network Rail and in areas such as metal theft, ATM machine and Cash in Transit robberies.  Smartwater boasts a 100% conviction rate where its technology has been used.

The initiative is being carried out in partnership with the British Transport Police and has been driven by a 9% increase in cable theft over the past year due to a surge in copper prices.  BT also states that over 200 arrests were made through working with the police.

“Cable and metal theft is high on BTP’s agenda due to the disruption and economic effect it has on businesses and communities,” says Detective Inspector Robin Conway from the BTP.

He added, ”anyone arrested for metal theft will be examined for traces of SmartWater. A search will be made of the person’s house and any property, including vehicles with traces of SmartWater on them, is likely to be seized by police.”

BT is also working with local communities in the hope they can also play their part by reporting any suspicious activities around sites to the police.

The technology is already being used in North London where BT says it is already achieving results and has reduced the number of network attacks because the equipment has been coated and criminals also risk being sprayed with the liquid.

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