RESIDENTS in two villages have joined forces for a pioneering new project in a bid to deter thieves targeting their property.

Five new signs were installed in Laycock and Goose Eye on Tuesday highlighting their status as ‘SmartWater Villages’.

SmartWater property marking kits, which have been actively showcased in both villages, are designed to uniquely identify valuables, such as cars, flagstones and other items of personal property.

The SmartWater substance itself is invisible to the naked eye, but can be detected under ultra-violet light. Once applied, it can remain on exposed outside surfaces for years.

Although it has been deployed to combat the specific theft of Yorkshire stone, it is equally suitable for all kinds of objects.

Roadside signs cost £222 and were funded via Keighley Town Council’s watch and transport committee.

Laycock and Braithwaite ward town councillor, John Kirby, said: “This is about giving residents peace of mind.

“They now have that little bit of extra security for their property.

“I’ve only played a small part in this. The bulk of the work for the initiative has been done by the residents of Laycock.”

He paid special tribute to resident Amy Smith, Keighley West ward councillors Adrian Farley and Jan Smithies and police sergeants Julie Boardman and Chris Watson.

“It isn’t the end of the project,” he added. “It is just the beginning of an initiative that will help the police promote the use of SmartWater throughout Keighley.

“You’ll never eradicate theft completely, but SmartWater certainly does help with detection and bringing more thieves to book.

“Expanding it to the rest of Keighley is the way forward.”

Sergeant Julie Boardman, of Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “SmartWater is like DNA, and each kit is totally unique to each different household using it.

“It means even if items marked with it are taken, there will be less of a market for the stolen property. SmartWater has been available for a long time, but we’re now promoting it more because we know how successful it has been in helping us with detections.”

Keighley West ward councillor, Brian Morris, said he understood Laycock and Goose Eye are the first places in Bradford district to be designated SmartWater Villages.

“I think it’s absolutely brilliant,” he said.

“In Laycock, they have had a few issues with stone flags being taken because these fetch a high price on the black market.

“Hopefully, this will stop things like that happening.”

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