Valencia advises Greece on alarm system to prevent metal theft

Valencia Local Police (PLV) is trialling two revolutionary methods to tackle metal theft.

PLV has been involved in 15 European projects since 2004 in some cases, like Pol-PRIMETT, is the only Spanish police force representing their country.

Led by the National Crime Agency in the UK, Pol-PRIMETT seeks measures to curb the theft and trafficking of metals such as copper. It is in Britain where most metal thefts occur. The Valencian police are trialling two alarm systems to prevent theft of cable and the results have been transferred to other European partners, such as Greece.

The first method consists of sensors that monitor power lines and detect any drop in voltage this will alert authorities that a theft of public lighting may be occurring. This system is controlled by a command centre that covers a catchment area of approximately 3km.

The second is a technique of spraying electrical wiring with synthetic DNA so cable can be identified if recovered after a theft. This goes is complemented by signage warning thieves that the metal is forensically marked. Both have been tested in three areas of the city (Campanar, parquet de Cabecera and Marítimo) and, according police, there has been no thefts in these areas so far.

According to the coordinator of the European Projects department at PLV, José Luis Diego, "the importance of these programmes in which we participate is that technology and systems that are developed or tested can be transferred to other EU countries. “

Even though the first phase of Pol-PRIMETT has been completed, the coordinator asked the Valencian body to continue its collaboration. So, PLV will extend the testing of the two methods to other affected suppliers including telecommunications, utilities, agriculture and railways. For example, meetings with farmers in AVA-Asaja and ADIF (Development) will be continued.

"The goal is about working together - victims and researchers, public and private – in order to stop a widespread problem throughout Europe. Because in the end, the damage is to the citizens as thefts delay trains, destroy crops or disconnects communications, "said José Luis Diego.

Article courtesy of Las Provincias. Please click here to view the original article in Spanish.

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