IN view of the recent thefts of metal plaques, particularly bronze, from war memorials, the War Memorials Trust has entered into an arrangement with SmartWater to add some protection.

SmartWater contains a DNA element which is traceable. It is applied to inconspicuous areas of any metal elements.

The whole area does not need to be covered.

SmartWater should last for 25 years and is regularly used on heritage buildings with no lasting impact on structures or materials.

Once SmartWater has been added, a “statement of registration” is completed and returned so that it can be added to the War Memorials Trust database which accurately records when and where the SmartWater was administered.

Should any theft or vandalism occur, the incident is logged and the next steps discussed.

It is suggested that, as a deterrent, custodians should display somewhere the fact that SmartWater has been applied.

SmartWater is free to custodians of war memorials.

Sometimes there is confusion as to who the owner actually is. In many instances, the local authority took over the ownership at the unveiling ceremony. If no positive custodian is identified, the local authority has the power to claim it as part of their holdings.

If you are in Northumberland or County Durham you are invited to look at the website newmp.org.uk to see if any handing over of the memorial has been recorded.

For further information, contact Annette Gaykema, the In Memoriam Project Officer, at the War Memorials Trust, on 07557-113-992 or annettegaykema@inmemoriam2 014.org or look at the War Memorials Trust website inmemoriam2014.org.

Janet Brown, North-East War Memorials Project.