Invisible spray to target off-road bikers

ILLUMINATING EVIDENCE: A forensics expert takes a swab of the spray

POLICE have unveiled a new weapon which will be deployed in the battle to bring off-road bikes to book.
The West Midlands force announced this week it was issuing dozens of its traffic officers with special canisters of DNA spray, which will be used to tag bikes and their riders.
The liquid is invisible to the naked eye, but is unmistakable when exposed to ultra-violet light, enabling officers to identify vehicles that have been causing trouble.
And given that each batch of chemicals has its own unique code, it is possible to link a bike to individual crimes.
Chief Supt Dave Sturman claimed that use of the spray would make it easier to find and prosecute offenders.
He said: "The DNA spray is an inert, water-based product – it’s not an irritant and won’t cause any side effects – but it leaves an indelible mark that cannot be scrubbed off.
"It officers are unable to apprehend offenders at the time they can utilise the spray – and if it later shows up on suspects, their clothes or bikes we can link them to a particular incident."
Off-road biking is a common form of anti-social behaviour in North Solihull, with racing reported on parkland and public roads.
Often officers have struggled to deal with perpetrators as a national policy prevents teams from giving chase, for fear the pursuit could result in a serious accident.