SmartWater has helped to more than half catalytic converter thefts

14 October 2021

Operation ‘Goldiron’, orchestrated by the British Transport Police (BTP) and The SmartWater Group’s intelligence unit, the Centre for Infrastructure and Asset Protection (CIAP) resulted in the recovery of over 1,000 stolen catalytic converters and 50 arrests.

CIAP is an intelligence unit made up of analysts who are accredited police contractors, tracking organised crime groups around the UK.

Furthermore, the operation, which took place in April 2021, played a significant role in a 57 per cent decline in catalytic converter thefts since a peak in March 2021.  

SmartWater, a heat-resistant solution invisible to the naked eye which glows yellow under UV light was used to identify the stolen items during the operation.

The solution can be applied in just 10 minutes and only a fragment is required to link the catalytic converter to a specific vehicle on the ‘National Asset Database’, which is operated by CIAP on behalf of the police.

Director at CIAP Rachael Oakley explained, “The combination of the materials that is put into the solution makes each individual vial unique.

“The registration of this bottle is what’s key. Every item marked with SmartWater is registered on our database.”

CIAP work with police on the National Infrastructure Crime Reduction Partnership (NICRP), led by BTP. 

NICRP lead and BTP Superintendent Mark Cleland said, “Thanks to the support of the Home Office in creating the NICRP, our joint working with SmartWater and other industry partners, and the drive by enforcement partners across the UK, we have made a real impact in tackling metal and catalytic converter crime”.

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