Co-op to roll-out hand-held forensic spray to deter attacks
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Co-op has become the first food retailer to employ security officers equipped with a new forensic spray.
The move will see Mitie security officers specially trained in the use of the handheld spray, containing a SmartWater forensic signature, which is compliant with the requirements of the government’s Forensic Science Regulator and is admissible as evidence in court.
Trials in South Yorkshire have already shown SmartTag to calm potentially violent incidents and stop them from escalating.
Detective superintendent, Lee Berry, said: “Our aim was to create a deterrent for door staff to diffuse violent incidents before they escalated. Over 100 canisters were deployed across the county following a successful trial in Sheffield. We received great feedback from security staff who said they had diffused situations by warning those involved that they would be forensically marked.”