How forensic science is helping to combat theft in club cricket
With theft a constant threat in the club cricket community, UK cricket clubs are now turning to forensic science to help combat the problem.
The number of burglaries that take place on cricket grounds is on the rise, with high-cost machinery, technology and equipment at constant risk from theft.
In an interesting development, ExtraCover Insurance, the country’s largest provider of specialist cricket club insurance, have teamed up with SmartWater® to help reduce the number of thefts in grassroots cricket.
If your premises are burgled, SmartWater can help the police find the thieves by using cutting edge forensic liquid to trace the whereabouts of your valuables. According to the company, 74 per cent of criminals said they would avoid a location where SmartWater signage was on display.
Burglaries are on the rise in grassroots cricket, which requires costly equipment
Mark Dearden, Sports Development Manager at Marshall Wooldridge, who run ExtraCover Insurance, said: “Our aim has been purely to help our clubs reduce the threat of a burglary, which is becoming more prevalent. SmartWater is a proven deterrent and can give a little peace of mind to our members around the security at their club.” Current ExtraCover policyholders qualify for a discount on the SmartWater Security Pack.
How does SmartWater work?
SmartWater supplies powerful traceable liquid crime deterrent, which contains a unique forensic code that, once applied, makes equipment traceable back to the club. It’s simple to apply and almost impossible to remove, while each application is only visible under UV light, which can be detected by police officers.
Near invisible to the naked eye, the liquid is guaranteed to last five years and can withstand fire, humidity and sunlight. According to ExtraCover, only a trace the size of a speck of dust is required to convict.
What can SmartWater be used on?
The versatile liquid can be used on almost anything, including:
- Wicket mowers
- Gang mowers
- Groundsman equipment
- Rollers
- Tractors
- Covers
- Sightscreens
- Trophies
What’s available to clubs?
The SmartWater Security Pack, available to cricket clubs in the UK and contains enough liquid for up to 60 items, includes:
- 1 x bottle of SmartWater forensic liquid
- 4 x window labels
- 60 x tamperproof warning labels
- 2 x A5 weather-resistant deterrent signs
- Application instructions
- All database fees
- Forensic analysis of stolen items recovered by police to prove ownership
Does your club qualify for a discount?
All cricket clubs insured by the ECB-backed ExtraCover can purchase their SmartWater Security Pack at a reduced rate. Policyholders can purchase the pack for £72 – a saving of £48. Thereafter, there’s an annual fee of £30 (a yearly saving of £90). Simply visit the website, enter your name, search for your cricket club and redeem your coupon. The Pack is also available to non-policyholders.
