Raider sees red

30 May 2006

A 48 year-old man, recently arrested on suspicion of robbery after an armed raid at an off-licence in the Blackburn area may be linked to the crime following the activation of an IBP smoke-dye till device.

Smoketrace™ dye has been designed to assist police in securing convictions in the event of a robbery.

Police are now investigating links between this incident and six other robberies in the area over the previous few weeks.

The cash taken during the off-licence raid contained a device that emits bright red smoke to attract the attention of witnesses; the smoke-dye also stains the money rendering it worthless and stains textiles and skin that it comes in contact with, often providing the police with important forensic evidence.

In a recent survey conducted by Banknote Watch it was revealed that over 26,000 smoke-dye systems are in place in the UK, installed in banks, post offices, building societies, betting shops, off-licences, travel agents and convenience stores. These systems not only deter robberies taking place in the first place, but are also a powerful tool for the police should a raid take place, providing strong evidence of a criminal’s involvement in the offence.

Recent developments now enable IBP to include a unique identifier named smoketrace™ in the smoke-dye, which has been designed to assist police and forensic laboratories in providing conclusive evidence so that, if a stained banknote is found, police are now able to identify its origins back to the specific incident location.

Neil Chrismas, Marketing Director of IBP International, said: “Although I am unable to talk about this case, there are occasions in our business when we help convict serial criminals who leave behind them a wake of terror and humiliation. When we are successful, it is very motivating to all of us on the Robbery Products side of IBP.”

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