As reported by MCN colleagues, Police Scotland is increasing the use of specific DNA marking sprays to help combat motorcycle theft and stop “harassing and anti-social” bikers.
The products used are from SelectaDNA, and have been in use since 2018, and as Chief Inspector Darren Bruce says: “The use of this marking spray is another tool that officers will have at their disposal to help detect illegal and anti-social activity related to motorcycles.”
“We know that this issue is of concern to communities and over the last few months and years we have been running a number of local projects in an attempt to help tackle it.”
The prolonged spraying began on Monday, March 18, with officers spraying the fine mist on passing motorcyclists who were suspected of having committed a crime.
The mist cannot be removed from surfaces and has a kind of coded DNA that provides forensic evidence to link them to a specific crime once they have been caught. This mist covers the motorcycle, skin and clothing of the rider without causing any harm to the individual.
The spray is invisible to the human eye, but can be seen under UV lighting. According to the authorities, since the sprays were distributed in Edinburgh, they have helped to reduce crimes committed by motorcyclists by 60%.