MANCHESTER, England, 2016-Oct-21 — /EPR Retail News/ — Splashing the cash, and criminals, could cut ATM crime in communities as the Co-op teams-up with award-winning forensic technology company SmartWater to roll-out a new deterrent linking criminals back to the scene of a crime.
In a first of its kind, SmartWater have adapted its dispersal technology to ensure that both the criminals and the stolen cash are marked, regardless of how an ATM is attacked.
Starting in the South West and Wales, SmartWater systems will be installed at hundreds of cash dispensers located at the community retailer’s food stores, with a unique forensic signature at each ATM increasing the risk to criminals of being tracked and traced by Police following a theft, and helping to secure a conviction.
Invisible to the naked eye, an amount of the gel the size of a speck of dust can provide the “solution” for scientists to undertake a successful analysis and help Police with identification, with the forensic signature guaranteed to last five years.
Chris Whitfield, Co-op’s Director of Retail and Logistics, said: “The technology is at the forefront of combating ATM crime which not only impacts on retailers but can affect communities and customers too. Teaming-up with SmartWater, whose proprietary technology has a proven track record in being a powerful deterrent, will utilise the latest ATM security capabilities and innovations to benefit local communities and potentially reduce crime.”
Phil Cleary, CEO and Co-Founder of SmartWater said ‘This technical development represents a serious upgrade in the security of ATM’s as SmartWater products have helped convict hundreds of criminals world-wide and retains a 100% track record in Court. Simply, the ATM’s protected by SmartWater now represent too high a risk for criminals and the more professional will give them a wide berth’.
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Notes to editor:
About SmartWater:
Combining cutting-edge forensic technology with risk management and intelligence gathering tactics; SmartWater Technology provides an ongoing crime fighting service to businesses, governments, law enforcers, utility providers and homeowners. Our philosophy is simple – the more criminals we help to convict, the more SmartWater acts as a powerful deterrent. Find out more at www.smartwater.com®SmartWater, the SmartWater yellow, atom logo and THIEVES BEWARE are trademarks of SmartWater Limited. SmartWater is a proprietary forensic asset marking System and Strategy protected by worldwide trademarks and patents.
About the Co-op:
The Co-op Group, one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, with interests across food, funerals, insurance, electrical and legal services, has a clear purpose of championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities. Owned by millions of UK consumers, The Co-operative Group operates a total of 3,750 outlets, with approaching 70,000 colleagues and an annual turnover of approximately £10 billion
Further information:
Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
M: 07702 505 551
E: Andrew.torr@coop.co.uk
SOURCE: Co-operative Group Limited