First 'smartwater' metal theft conviction
Posted: 01 Dec 2012, 18:33
From The Railway Magazine, November 2012, p 7
Network Rail has secured the first conviction in the UK using 'smartwater' evidence.
Four men from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, have been sentenced at Leamington Spa to a total of 11 years' jail for conspiracy to commit signal cable theft even though no stolen or received goods were found on their premises. The men were convicted because tiny traces of 'smartwater' were found on cutting tools at their homes.
The fact that several different water types - which will all have their own 'signature' - were found revealed that the tools had been used at several railway locations.
Network Rail has secured the first conviction in the UK using 'smartwater' evidence.
Four men from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, have been sentenced at Leamington Spa to a total of 11 years' jail for conspiracy to commit signal cable theft even though no stolen or received goods were found on their premises. The men were convicted because tiny traces of 'smartwater' were found on cutting tools at their homes.
The fact that several different water types - which will all have their own 'signature' - were found revealed that the tools had been used at several railway locations.