Southland Police are working with “Safe in the South” to combat theft in Southland with ‘SelectaDNA’.
The project sees the SelectaDNA kits distributed to people who wish to deter theft in their homes and local schools.
The crime prevention kits contain signage warning thieves to stay away, and pens or synthetic serum which can be used to mark property with identifiable microdots. These are only revealed by ultraviolet light, meaning the likelihood of catching any thieves is higher.
Saniya Thompson, Invercargill City Council Community Development Co-ordinator, says Safe in the South is an “umbrella” model, in which the key stakeholders have worked collaboratively on all aspects of community safety.
“Safe in the South is a coalition that combines organisations including: Southland Police, Fire Service, Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, Southern District Health Board, Child Youth and Family, Chamber of Commerce, Emergency Management Southland and local Iwi.”
Senior Sergeant Cynthia Fairley says kits have been supplied to many people across Southland including burglary victim Matthew Schultz, who in August came home to find a burglar in his garage.
“Matthew, who normally leaves his house secure, was understandably upset and angry by the invasion of his property. The thief went through the whole house and entered all the bedrooms in broad daylight.
“Although in this case Matthew got all his property back, this offending caused extensive emotional harm to his family and the occupants of two other houses targeted by the same thief,” says Ms Fairley.
SelectaDNA kits were distributed to Matthew and his neighbours and Constable Dave McLardy of the Invercargill Neighbourhood Support Team helped them to put the tools to use.
Constable McLardy also assisted Fernworth School to apply the Synthetic DNA to electronic items.
Police encourages people in the community to join up to Neighbourhood Support networks as it is easy to do and helps connect neighbours with each other and the Police.
To start one in your neighbourhood contact Community Development Co-Ordinator Saniya Thompson at Invercargill City Council or Senior Sergeant Fairley at Invercargill Police.
“Make sure to keep your property secure this holiday season and ask a trustworthy neighbour to keep an eye out, says Ms Fairley.
“We hope you have a safe and crime-free Christmas in Southland.”
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
