Pupils from primary schools in Merthyr Tydfil were challenged to design imaginative street signs to raise awareness of a new police crime prevention initiative from South Wales Police.
Operation Penderyn has been financed by the Home Office Safer Streets Fund - a half a million pound investment in SelectaDNA property marking, street lighting, CCTV and alley gating.
South Wales Police received over 200 entries from pupils at two local primary schools. Three winning designs were chosen and will be made into street signs which will be attached to lamp posts throughout the ward. All pupils were given certificates for taking part, and were treated to a demonstration from Ronnie, a specially trained DNA dog who uses
his amazing sense of smell to sniff-out property marked with our SelectaDNA solution.
The initiative coincides with a mass DNA property marking scheme which is encouraging residents to safeguard their valuables - SelectaDNA packs are being distributed to over 3,500 homes which enable residents to mark up to 50 items of property each.
It is hoped that it will deter criminals, help police recover stolen property and also help detect crimes by linking
offenders to break-ins. Burglaries have reduced significantly in some parts of the UK where similar schemes have
been rolled out.
Inspector Mike Rudall said: “Last month (December) we began distributing the special forensic property marking
kits to residents across the ward and this work will continue – Christmas is an excellent opportunity to safeguard
prized possessions and valuables”. Work also continues across the town on the upgrading of CCTV and street lighting.
He continued: “The Fund, which was secured by our Police and Crime Commissioner, will really make a difference to the town. It’s a one-off financial boost which will leave a crime fighting legacy that will benefit all of Merthyr town’s residents, workers and visitors for a long time to come.”
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