Villagers in Peopleton have become the latest Wychavon residents to join a crime fighting scheme aimed at deterring thieves and burglars.
Wychavon has been working with the local parish council and West Mercia Police since March, to turn Peopleton into a SmartWater Village to deter criminals from targeting the area.
So far 157 households have signed up - more than the 70% of households needed to achieve the status.
SmartWater is a colourless liquid solution that can be applied to the surfaces of belongings and valuables. It leaves a unique code which is almost impossible to remove and can only be viewed under ultraviolet light.
Each household has been given a kit containing enough liquid to mark up to 75 items.
Marked items are then registered with a national database so if items are stolen, the rightful owner can easily be identified and the property returned. SmartWater deters criminals as they know stealing SmartWater marked property makes it more likely they will be caught and convicted.
Signs have been installed around Peopleton to warn criminals it is a SmartWater village and households have been given window stickers as well.
The packs were funded by local charity Peopleton Parish Lands and West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion. Wychavon's Community Safety team has been supporting the parish council to knock on doors and promote the scheme to residents.
It is part of West Mercia Police’s ‘We don’t buy crime’ initiative which is aimed at deterring acquisitive crime, which includes burglary, theft, robbery and shoplifting.
Cllr Rob Adams, Executive Board Member for Stronger Communities, Culture and Sport on Wychavon District Council, said: “I’m delighted yet another part of our district has achieved SmartWater status. I’d encourage other areas to explore this opportunity. By working together to make life difficult for criminals we can make Wychavon an even safer place to live.”
Tim Mason, Chair of Peopleton Parish Council, said: “Following recent burglaries in the village, several residents were keen to take some action. Thanks to the support of the police and Wychavon’s Community Safety team we are now a SmartWater village and I hope it will deter criminals from targeting our village again in future.
Insp Dave Wise, from Pershore Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “It’s fantastic Peopleton has achieved SmartWater Village status and I’m confident it will be a powerful crime deterrent, ultimately helping to make people feel safer in their homes. Pershore Safer Neighbourhood Team are really glad to be working closely with our partners and the community to ensure every effort is made to prevent crime in our rural communities.”
Cropthorne was the first area in Wychavon to become a SmartWater village, achieving the status in 2015. Since then 27 other villages have also signed up to the scheme.
Tibberton parish is hoping to join the list. Tibberton Parish Council and Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion have funded SmartWater packs for villagers. Tibberton residents wanting to register for one should email
Other parishes or villages interested in becoming SmartWater villages should email
Pictured (above): David Wall, Vice Chair of Peopleton Parish Council, Faye Allen-Carter, Community Safety Officer for Wychavon District Council, Jo Smith, Manager of Peopleton Village Hall and Cllr Robert Raphael, Chairman of Wychavon District Council.
