COMMUNITY safety officials are urging residents on Teesside to take advantage of a smart crime prevention scheme.

People living in the Burn Valley and Rift House wards of Hartlepool are being offered a free chance to have their possessions marked with Smartwater, an indelible solution containing a unique identification code.

If an item is stolen and then recovered, the Smartwater code can be retrieved, using ultra-violet light, and traced back to the owner through a computer database.

The introduction of the scheme into Burn Valley and Rift House follows its initial success in the Burbank area of the town.

The offer is part of a community safety initiative that involves a range of organisations, including the police, Hartlepool Borough Council, the fire brigade, Housing Hartlepool, churches and businesses, working together to improve residents' quality of life.

Steve D'Arcy, a community safety officer with the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: "Most household possessions, including expensive electrical items, can be marked with Smartwater and I would urge people to take advantage of this offer.

"Knowing that your property is protected can give you a bit more peace of mind."

Community wardens employed by Hartlepool council and police community support officers working for Cleveland Police have been trained to carry out Smartwater marking.

Anyone wishing to have property marked can contact Mr D'Arcy on (01429) 405579.