A PILOT scheme which uses technology similar to DNA profiling is to be introduced to reduce theft in Wear Valley.

Police and Wear Valley District Council will work together to pilot the SmartWater identification system.

A clear solution, which contains microscopic particles encoded with the owner's details, can be painted on to property then used by police to identify its unique reference number.

Details are kept on a database maintained by The Forensic Science Service which operates a 24 hour helpline for police officers.

The scheme, being launched today by district council chairwoman Councillor Margaret Pinkney, will start by targeting Woodhouse Close Estate and repeat victims.