CROPTHORNE has become the first 'Smart Water village' in South Worcestershire.

The village near Pershore will become a Smart Water village as part of a project being led by the South Worcestershire Business and Rural Crime team, which is funded by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner.

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.

Marked items are then registered with a national database and if stolen it can conclusively prove the ownership, ensuring they are returned to the rightful owner.

The aim is to get all 240 houses in Cropthorne protected, so members of the business and rural crime team, as well as police, cadets and councillors, will be visiting residents over the next few weeks to hand out the Smart Water kits and explain how to use them.

Cropthorne Parish Council has paid for the kits using £2,295 of New Homes Bonus money granted to them by Wychavon District Council.

South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership will also be putting up signs informing people it is a Smart Water protected area.

Simon Thompson, business and rural crime co-ordinator for South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership, said: "Cropthorne, and South Worcestershire as a whole, is a safe place to live.

"However, we know at this time of year, with darker nights and Christmas approaching, there are more opportunities for burglars to strike.

“Using Smart Water will help protect households by deterring criminals in the first place."