POLICE in Darlington yesterday unveiled the kind of Christmas lights criminals do not want to see.

All suspects taken to the town's main police station will now be scanned by ultra-violet strip lights searching for signs of Smart Water - a new chemical security aid.

The water, invisible to the naked eye, can be used by people to mark personal property.

Sprays firing out tiny drops of the liquid can also be added to security systems in commercial premises.

Crime prevention officer PC Steve Rich said: "Anyone who has been in contact with any covert spray or security marked object will light up like a Christmas tree under the ultra-violet strip lights.

"The fine droplets released into the air by security sprays inside premises will remain on the hair, skin and clothing for months.

"A minute particle from a suspect will immediately tie them into a burglary or stolen property."

As well as the lights being fitted in the station's custody area, a smaller unit will be added to its property store to scan any items recovered.

Officers will write to 500 traders in Darlington, explaining how the high-tech system works.

PC Rich said: "Each application of the water has its own unique characteristics and, providing the owner has registered it with the manufacturers' database, we will be able to identify any marked stolen property we recover."