Entry and exit points at the main McDonald’s restaurant in Rotterdam city centre are being protected from burglary by the installation of the new SelectaDNA intruder spray that uses forensic DNA to link offenders directly to the crime scene. Following a successful campaign by Dutch police to reduce retail crime in the Rotterdam area, the franchise owner of McDonald’s on Coolsingel, the main shopping street in the central area of the city, took the decision to protect the busy premises against robbery.
The SelectaDNA Intruder Spray is proving to be one of the most effective ways to deter commercial burglaries and smash-and-grab raids. It can be fitted at multiple entry points of premises such as pubs, restaurants, corner shops, supermarket chains, jewellers, warehouses and petrol stations, immediately target hardening any building. Once activated, the DNA spray emits a burst of hi-tech forensic solution onto the offenders. The solution contains a UV tracer and a unique DNA code, linking them irrefutably to the scene of the crime.
Traces of the DNA solution can be taken from the skin, hair and clothing of offenders, and sent away for forensic analysis to prove that they have broken into a particular premises. Although invisible and harmless, the UV and DNA will remain on an offender for weeks - clinging to fibres and sitting in creases of the skin. Police routinely scan for traces of SelectaDNA in custody suites, and if they find it, it could help Police to obtain a conviction.
Simon Nab, project manager for SelectaDNA in Holland, said: “The DNA Spray system has already been fitted to a group of small retail premises and petrol stations in Rotterdam to combat the increasing number of daytime robberies there. “Since the launch of the scheme, there have been no robberies reported from these outlets so far, which is impressive as they are located in one of the top three crime 'hotspots' in Rotterdam, and are considered at high risk for robbery.”
Mr Nab continued: “Not only have the retail outlets not been targeted, but the other businesses in the street have also been left alone. As a result of the success of that police-backed project, McDonald’s felt confident that the intruder spray would be a valuable deterrent for them. “However, if the worst did happen and robbers broke in, it is likely that sprayed intruders would flee the crime scene before stealing any goods as the DNA fear-factor amongst criminals is very high.”
Warning signs and window stickers are on display at McDonalds on Coolsingel to alert potential criminals that the system is in use and to dissuade them from targeting the premises. | Rotterdam McDonalds Staff are pleased to have SelectaDNA installed in their store.c c c c c c c c c c c FACT FILE Making a mark
A spray is let off when security is breached, dousing the robber with a "synthetic DNA" solution.
The solution, unique to each bank branch, glows under UV light.
Police use UV torches to identify the solution. |
