The following is an extract of a press release that I have sent to all the local media in my area. A project has been launched to combat the theft of metal elements from war memorials and to support their preservation to ensure that the names of those who died are remembered by future generations. War Memorials Trust and the SmartWater Foundation are asking war memorial custodians to register for the In Memoriam 2014 project which is also making SmartWater’s state of the art crime prevention liquid available free of charge to mark all war memorials in the UK. SmartWater is a forensic solution which contains a unique chemical code and is only visible under ultraviolet (UV) light. Once applied to a war memorial the liquid is virtually impossible to remove and can withstand burning or melting making it harder for criminals to dispose of stolen war memorials. Police forces across the UK are actively searching for traces of SmartWater as a means of positively identifying stolen property and linking criminals back to specific crime scenes. More and more scrap metal dealers are also checking for traces of SmartWater and refusing to handle any items marked with the liquid. Sir Keith Povey, SmartWater Foundation Chairman, stated "As the centenary of World War I approaches, In Memoriam 2014 encourages communities to reconnect with their local war memorials and remember the sacrifice that so many people made for their country. It is an exciting prospect for the SmartWater Foundation to be a partner with the War Memorials Trust in this project. The Foundation’s main role will be to offer greater protection for war memorials in the United Kingdom by offering SmartWater which is a proven crime deterrent, free of charge. I hope that people embrace what this project offers and take an interest in locating and preserving these symbols of our commemoration." Meg Hillier MP Hackney South and Shoreditch and War Memorials Trust Trustee said "This project is an opportunity to protect war memorials in communities across the UK. War Memorials Trust seeks to both protect and conserve this unique part of our national heritage and so I am delighted to be supporting this project. I encourage people to take an active interest in the project and ensure the custodians of your local war memorials are taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity to protect your local war memorial free of charge." Notes to editors 1. War Memorials Trust is an independent registered charity. Established in 1997 due to concerns about neglect and vandalism, it works to protect and conserve war memorials. It provides advice, information and administers grants schemes that assist the repair and conservation of war memorials across the UK. As a charity the Trust relies on voluntary contributions to undertake its work. Supporters include annual and life members, donors, charitable trusts and corporate contributors. Further details of the Trust can be found at War Memorials Trust. 2. The SmartWater Foundation, the charitable arm of SmartWater Technology Ltd, are providing the resources for the In Memoriam 2014 project and for SmartWater liquid to be offered free of charge to war memorial custodians. SmartWater Technology Ltd is a commercial company which provides crime reduction strategies. The company works closely with the police and other crime reduction agencies. Their clients include British Airways, Comet, Group 4 Securicor, HSBC, National Grid, Network Rail, Royal Mail and Thames Water. Further details about SmartWater Technology Ltd can be found at www.smartwater.com. 3. SmartWater is a forensic solution which contains a unique chemical code and is only visible under ultraviolet (UV) light. Once applied to a war memorial the liquid is virtually impossible to remove and can withstand burning or melting making it harder for criminals to dispose of stolen war memorials. Police forces across the UK are actively searching for traces of SmartWater as a means of positively identifying stolen property and linking criminals back to specific crime scenes. More and more scrap metal dealers are also checking for traces of SmartWater and refusing to handle any items marked with the liquid. Further information about SmartWater liquid can be found at www.smartwater.com. 4. In Memoriam 2014 is a joint project between War Memorials Trust and the SmartWater Foundation. Further information about the project can be found at In Memoriam 2014. 5. War Memorials Trust has approximately 150 Regional Volunteers, members of the charity who act as local contacts. They raise awareness of the charity and also alert the charity to local war memorial issues. 6. War Memorials Trust provides grants that can assist repair and conservation of war memorials. Contact the Conservation Team to discuss eligibility on 020 7233 7356 / 0300 123 0764 or conservation@warmemorials.org or download an ‘Expression of interest form’ from War Memorials Trust. 7. War Memorials Trust provides a free advisory service to anyone with a war memorial enquiry. Specialist Conservation Officers are available on 020 7233 7356 / 0300 123 0764 or conservation@warmemorials.org. 8. Details of grants made can be viewed on the Trust’s Grants Showcase War Memorials Trust. You can search by area, scheme, value and type of work. 9. Photographs and images of war memorials, and grant cases, may be available from the Trust. If images are on the Showcase War Memorials Trust then we should be able to provide digital versions. However, we are not a photo library and, whilst endeavouring to provide images, cannot guarantee to be able to provide them as many of the images sent to the Trust are not accompanied by a copyright licence. 10. War Memorials Trust has had a membership since around 2,200. Annual members pay £20 per annum with lifetime members contributing £100. Joint memberships are available and the charity has a gift membership scheme for those who would like to give the gift of membership to a family member or friend. (end of press release) Some personal thoughts, I remember in my childhood how there always seemed to be a bankroll or wages snatch on the news, now you never hear of them. They invented this stuff that sprays red paint over the notes and no-one wanted them because they had no value and no-one wanted to be caught 'red-handed'. I think this Smartwater thing could have the same effect, ie a deterrent. I cannot see anyone wanting to handle stolen bits of war memorials when it can be forensically traced even after it is melted down. I hope it works........... meanwhile anything that helps to publicise the memorials, and by inference the men commemorated and the significance, has got to be good news, right?
Thanks for this Spoons, I'll certainly let our local council know about this scheme and pass it onto Kitty's mum who will know who to pass it onto up in her neck of the woods. I also recommend that all our members and guests pass this onto their local memorials trustees. Sniper
