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It's called Smartwater - and it catches really thick thieves.

When burglars come into contact with this 21st century crimestopper they are quite literally caught green-handed.

Now officers in Sittingbourne have added Smartwater to their crime-fighting armoury - which should slash the number of break-ins in the Swale area.

PC John Pollock took us through what a 'smartwatered' criminal would have to deal with. Watch our video at the top of this page.

In Nottingham burglaries have plummeted by up to 95 per cent.

Inspector Evan Jones said: "Criminals need to be aware that SmartWater has a 100 per cent conviction rate to date with an irrefutable link to the scene of a crime. Already where similar trials of the substance are being used they are having excellent results, with noticeable reductions in burglary, robbery and theft.

“From now on, every offender arrested and brought into Sittingbourne custody suite will be automatically screened when they are booked in.”

Sittingbourne is one of the first police stations in the county to have detection equipment fitted in a custody suite - and officers there are going to be testing everyone they detain for traces of Smartwater.

The equipment has been paid for by the Community Safety Partnership at Swale Borough Council. Executive member for community services John Morris

said this is an excellent investment if it means the people of Swale feel safer. "Anything we can do to help protect the public and help reduce crime, we'll do."

Now detectives are urging businesses and homes across Kent to have it fitted. The Community Safety Partnerhip at Swale Borough Council has a limited number of home marking packs - after that they cost around £40 to buy.

Swale Police are among the first to use this technology, but it's to be rolled out across the county within the next eight months.

How it works

Offenders and property are showered with Smartwater when they break in to a property.

The solution is harmless, but no amount of washing powder or soap will get rid of it.

When bathed in UV lights, the substance will show up - police can then take a swab and a unique code will be directly traced back to a specific crime scene.