According to Humberside Police, a victim of domestic abuse deployed a cannister of SmartWater – provided by the Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Investigation Team (DASIT) – after a stalker breached bail conditions.
SmartWater is a solution manufactured by DeterTech.
Neil Leddon has pleaded guilty to stalking, harassing and taking photos of the woman without her consent.
Leading the investigation was Helen Collier, Detective Inspector, DASIT who said: “Leddon is a relentless stalker who took pictures of the woman without her consent and waited for her outside her address and workplace on multiple occasions with one ominous intention, to affect her daily life by continuously causing her fear and alarm […]
“The brave actions taken by the woman to deploy her SmartWater cannister is admirable.”
“SmartWater is a fluid initially designed to mark property, using unique DNA codes, so it could be identified if stolen,” said Collier.
“This same technology is now being used to allow crime victims to mark their attackers because traces of the fluid cannot be washed off or seen with the naked eye.”
The SmartWater, Collier articulated, offers victims an additional safeguarding measure, helping them to feel safe both at home and while out.
“This approach is not new to policing, and it is being used in conjunction with ongoing support from specialist officers within our dedicated DASIT teams, as well as partners including the Domestic Abuse Partnership, who are co-located in our office at Clough Road,” added Collier.
“Alongside our partners at the Domestic Abuse Partnership, we have been utilising SmartWater technology to deter perpetrators and protect victims of domestic abuse since it was introduced in cases of domestic abuse in June 2024,” concluded Collier.
