“One spray will put you away” – DNA ‘tagging’ spray to target anti-social motorbike use in Caia Park

Police officers on an estate in Wrexham will now carry SelectaDNA Spray to identify offenders who are illegally and anti-socially using off-road bikes as part of a multi-agency approach.

Concerns were expressed by Caia Park councillors and residents in relation to the dangers surrounding the use of illegal motorbikes in the area.

Funding to purchase the spray has been received from North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) and Wrexham Caia Park Community Council.

The spray has been used successfully by other forces and will be now be adopted as a pilot in Wrexham with a view of deploying it force wide.

PC Daniel Rees, from the Wrexham Neighbourhood Policing Team, is the driving force behind the use of this new technology and is delivering the training to the teams involved, including Neighbourhood Policing, Roads Policing and the Alliance Dog section.

Sergeant Simon Williams, of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Acts of anti-social behaviour, dangerous driving and intimidation against members of our communities and our officers will not be tolerated, and this is another great tool in finding and prosecuting offenders.

“If you are using motorcycles to drive dangerously and cause anti-social behaviour in our community then you will be identified, you are not untouchable. Even a drop of DNA spray will mark riders and their bikes for a long time.

“This tactic will undoubtedly lead to seizures and prosecutions. One spray will put you away.”

The handheld devices can be sprayed by officers to mark the bikes, clothing and skin of any riders and passengers with an invisible dye. The genetic material in each canister has a unique code which links suspects who are arrested, or any bikes recovered, to the criminal offences.

Inspector Vic Powell added: “This is an exciting and innovative initiative set up between Caia Community Council, the community, PACT and North Wales Police to identify and address the illegal use of motorcycles by a small section of the community.

“This activity puts everyone, including the rider, at risk and we will work with the community to address and prevent this behaviour and enforce the law at every available opportunity.

“I would like to thank the community for the ongoing support and engagement and our partners for the commitment in keeping Wrexham a safe place to live and work.

“I encourage members of the community to report any activity around the use of off road motorcycles direct to North Wales Police on 101, via the online reporting processes, to the community policing teams, community leaders or CrimeStoppers.”

The DNA spray is a water based product and will not cause any harm, irritation or side effects to receivers of the spray- but it does leave a mark that cannot be scrubbed off and will be visible via UV light from our torches and in our custody suites for a long period of time.