SmartWater is working with operators to help protect their masts from arson attacks and to improve the chances of catching the criminals.
5G masts have been subject to attacks in the UK and Netherlands, due to misinformation about 5G causing coronavirus – or at least that’s been used as the excuse for vandalism.
SmartWater has a 100% conviction rate in court and has been used to convict thousands of criminals – including several high-profile crime gangs – professional criminals will actively avoid targeting sites using the technology.
SmartWater has extended its long relationship with Mobile Broadband Network Limited (MBNL) to protect their assets from criminal damage.
MBNL is jointly owned by EE and Three, which has deployed various security measures to mast sites in response to the attacks and this now includes SmartSpray systems developed by SmartWater in consultation with MBNL.
SmartWater has already reduced the number of metal and cable theft across the MBNL estate by 77%. It is now expected for SmartWater to help replicate this success in reducing incidents of arson and criminal damage.
Unique traceable liquid
Each SmartWater forensic liquid contains a unique identifying code, which is registered to each site. Once a SmartSpray system is triggered, the offender is marked with this unique liquid and can be linked back to a specific crime scene, helping to secure criminal prosecution.
The liquid is invisible to the naked eye but fluoresces SmartWater’s trademarked yellow-green glow under UV light, which is how it is detected by Police throughout the UK.
MBNL will also be erecting high-visibility SmartWater deterrent signage around each site, warning offenders of the risk that they will be traced to the scene of their crime, if they decide to attack a protected mast site.
Admissable in court
SmartWater claims to offer the only forensic system that complies with the Government’s Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice which means the evidence it produces is admissible in court.
Gary Higgins, COO of SmartWater, commented, “At SmartWater we understand the importance of connectivity and the value of communication, we are proud of the work we have done to help the telecoms industry protect itself against criminal behaviour. Anyone attacking MBNL mast sites now…run[s] the risk of being forensically linked to the scene of their crime.”