Neighbourhood Watch messaging SmartWater - Burglary Deterrent & Property Recovery

SmartWater is a traceable liquid with a unique forensic code allowing your valuables to be traced back to you if they're stolen and later recovered. The liquid is invisible to the naked eye but glows under UV light. It can be applied to almost anything such as jewellery, TVs, mobile phones, power tools, and even outdoor items such as lawnmowers.

How Does SmartWater Work?

Please watch the short video below. If you need captions (subtitles) press the "CC" button when it plays.

What's in the Kit offered via OWL?


  • 6ml of SmartWater solution with applicator (to mark approx. 60 items)
  • 2 x metal deterrent plaques for use on gate posts, sheds, etc
  • 6 x window/door deterrent stickers
  • 48 x round tamper evident labels
  • Printed guidelines
  • Free delivery, straight to your residential address
  • No subscription required

How Does it Help Me?

Prevention is always the first line of defence when protecting your home, so make sure you display the metal plaques and stickers clearly which act as an important deterrent to would-be thieves.

If your marked items are stolen but later recovered then the police can see you've used SmartWater by checking with UV light. The SmartWater can be traced back to you and with that your property can be returned. When you buy a kit online your details are automatically associated with the unique molecular fingerprint in the SmartWater that's sent out to you.

How Effective is it?

There have been many SmartWater projects deployed by the UK Police service, with one of the most recent being the deployment of 1,000 SmartWater packs to homes in the London Boroughs of Brent and Islington in 2013. Six months after the launch police reported an 85% reduction in domestic burglary in Brent and a 63% reduction in Islington. The police also reported that it saved them a lot of time and money.

Other brands of traceable liquid are available.

How do I buy it?

OWL members can obtain a special price on the retail version of the SmartWater kit. Participating police forces and NHW associations will send a discount code and purchasing details to their members via an OWL message.

This offer is only available to residential members, it's not intended for business use. Commercial kits are available separately.

FAQs

Q: How long does SmartWater last for?
A: It's guaranteed to last for 5 years. In practice it could last longer depending on how much has been applied, if it's outdoors or indoors, and other factors.
Q: How can I check to see the liquid I've applied?
A: All you need is a UV light. You can buy one with your kit from the SmartWater website or from other retailers. Some UV lights will make it show up better than others. The ideal light frequency is 365nm.
Q: The police offered to sell me a pack of SmartWater. Is there any difference?
A: We're offering a discount on the retail pack which has more liquid inside (enough to mark approx 60 items) and has the addition of 2 metal plaques (with screws) that can be used outdoors as a warning on your gate/shed. Also delivery to your home is included in this offer.
Q: Couldn't I just mark my property with a UV pen?
A: There are limitations to using a UV pen. Pens don't write on all types of surfaces. Some items such as jewellery are too small to clearly write your postcode on. Thieves can strike through a postcode, scratch or deface it. SmartWater on the other hand can be applied to virtually any item and only a small amount of it is required to recover your unique code to identify the registered owner.
Q: Do I have to pay a subscription?
A: No, not with this special offer to OWL members. There are no additional or repeat costs.
Q: Is OWL or NHW profiting from this?
A: No. Your purchase is made directly with SmartWater. We receive no money or commission. We're providing this offer purely to help make our members' property more secure and traceable.
Q: Can I share my SmartWater with a friend or neighbour?
A: No, because the code in your kit is uniquely registered to you. If you don't own a piece of property then don't mark it with your code.

More FAQs are on the SmartWater website.