Hopes Shropshire domestic abuse victims will be better protected with new identification sprays
West Mercia Police has been issuing the sprays to woman across Shropshire
Police officers in Shropshire are hoping the role out of new identification sprays to victims of domestic abuse will offer a new level of protection.
The sprays - called SmartTag Sprays - act as a safety tool and are given to victims believed to be at serious risk from a partner or ex-partner.
Sergeant Alexandra Webb, from Shropshire’s Prevention Team, said: “If a suspect comes near a victim, breaks bail conditions, or ignores any orders, the presence of this coded liquid on their skin or clothing will show they were there.
“It is designed to give victims extra reassurance knowing that even if an offender leaves the scene, the police can still link them to what happened. It provides a safe, non-contact way to mark an offender.”
She added: "Hopefully it can deter any repeat offending and we know that it can stay on their clothing for a long time, even after they've left the scene."
West Mercia Police has so far issued 11 sprays to woman across the county,
Sargent Webb said: "When we offer victims this, we have specialist officers that go out and provide the sprays and show them how to use it.
"It offers that reassurance to them that they've got that there that they can use if they need it."
How do the SmartTag sprays work?
The sprays allow victims to mark an abuser from a distance, without any physical contact, by spraying a harmless liquid that can’t be seen but stays on the person for a long period of time.
Each spray contains a unique forensic code only visible under a UV light. Officers will use the UV lights built into their torches, as well as specialist rooms at custody suites with UV lighting.