College declares war on scrap thieves

THOMAS Rotherham college is using SmartWater technology to foil thieves who steal roofing lead and security plaques.

And it is threatening to sue rogue scrap men who accept metal stolen from college premises.

The college’s site in Moorgate Road has been targeted several times recently  . . . and even the plaques from its war memorial have been pinched.

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Now the college has teamed up with experts from forensic security firm SmartWater and South Yorkshire Police to protect the site by painting vulnerable pieces of metal with the subtance.

SmartWater glows intensely under ultraviolet light and is readily identifiable by police equipped with detecting equipment.

South Yorkshire officers use the scanners to search for traces of SmartWater at scrap metal dealers and other outlets.

The college says scrap dealers have been informed in writing of the action and will have no excuse for accepting marked stolen lead from the college.

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Scrap dealers have also been told that if they accept any marked TRC lead which is discovered by the police the college will take utilise every legal option to sue them for damages through the civil courts.

The college has said it would consider working with local churches, businesses and home owners who have also suffered from metal thefts to do a joint legal action against any scrap dealer with identifiable stolen lead.