DUDLEY bosses are being urged to fight crime by marking property to deter metal thieves.

The borough’s community safety partnership, Safe and Sound, is following on from a successful campaign focusing on residential burglaries by encouraging companies to use a property marking system.

Funded by the partnership, which is made up of public sector and voluntary organisations, police officers recently handed out SelectaDNA property marking kits to 50 borough businesses.

Police can use this system to identify the owner of the stolen goods and link criminals to the crimes they commit.

Acting Inspector Corrina Griffiths, of West Midlands Police, said: “This latest initiative concentrates on vulnerable and repeat theft business locations. This is to address the blight of metal theft within the borough as well as offering reassurance to business owners.

“Feedback from local businesses has been positive and hopefully the new kits will deter thieves and reduce crime.”

For more details visit www.dudleysafeandsound.org