Victims of crime

We know that being a victim of theft is stressful and upsetting, so we’ll support you in the following ways:

• if you’re a victim of crime, we’ll visit you and your neighbours and support you as much as we can

• we’ll show you how to mark your property with SmartWaterTech invisible forensic technology, which we’ll provide

• we’ll deliver security packs to your neighbours, and encourage them to protect their property with forensic markers which they can buy at a discounted price

• we’ll advise you and your neighbours on the best ways to keep your property safe and secure

• we’ll give you and your neighbours signs to display, stating that your property is security protected.

Why?

• offenders tend to return to a property or area which they’ve already entered, and where they’ve already committed crime: we don’t want that to happen to you

• it’s less likely, though, that offenders will target a property which displays signs showing that it’s security protected

• it’s also less likely that offenders will target a property which is well secured with door and window locks, and where bikes and other belongings are safely out of sight

• forensic and UV marking makes it easier for police to connect offenders with a specific crime and secure a conviction – and to return property to you, the rightful owner

• these actions will help to discourage offenders from targeting neighbourhoods, and make our communities safer.

In addition, here are some simple tips to help secure your property:

• lock all doors and close all windows before leaving the house

• lock front and back doors, even when you are in the house and particularly overnight

• ensure valuable items are not left on view

• store car keys safely away from letter boxes (for example where a burglar may be able to reach through and steal them)

• lock garden gates and side entrances

• make sure items that a burglar could use to break-in to your home are not left lying about

• store wheelie bins safely and away from walls or fences where they could be used by someone to gain access to your property

• mark your belongings with a UV pen or forensic property marking technology such as SmartWater

• make sure your home looks occupied,: an empty home is far more tempting for a burglar. Use timer switches for lights and noise from a radio

• consider installing a burglar alarm and outside security lighting, as these deter burglars

• be vigilant: report any unusual activity, people or vehicles in your area to the police.

If you have not been a victim of crime but would like to purchase SmartWater for your property and possessions, you can purchase a SmartWater pack at a discounted price for Gwent residents by using the below code:

GW3NTWDBC7N 

To redeem please visit shop.smartwater.com and enter the above code.
(Other forensic marking products are also available).

If you have a question about We Don't Buy Crime or acquisitive crime in Gwent:

Email us

If you want to contact Gwent Police about another matter or to report a crime you can direct message us on social media or call 101 or 999 in an emergency.