OFFICERS in the countryside are using the latest technology to target criminals on rural roads.

Decoy cars kitted out with cameras and SmartWater, a revolutionary property marking system, and speed monitoring devices are helping CAT teams in the Western Rural Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU) get their claws into car thieves and speeding drivers.

Inspector Phil Hodgson, head of policing in the NPU, said: 'Two of our big issues at the moment are cars being broken into, and speeding motorists.

'With every problem we encounter, we look at the most effective ways of tackling them and on this occasion, we're confident both the decoy cars and the speed enforcement equipment will help us catch and deal with offenders.'

Decoy cars are dotted around the NPU, covering areas such as Frodsham, Delamere, Mickle Trafford and Malpas.

The cars are equipped with cameras and anyone who comes into contact with them is marked with SmartWater, undetectable to the human eye.

Specialist equipment at police stations is used to detect the dye, which is permanent, enabling officers to quickly test and identify people suspected of theft. As each water solution has it's own DNA-like code, the reading detected can be traced back to where it was used, placing the offender at the scene of a crime.

Insp Hodgson said: 'SmartWater is a real advance in property marking and it makes life even more difficult for thieves. Criminals can be forensically linked to scenes and they have no clue they are carrying the evidence with them.'

Different technology is helping the CATs tackle speeding motorists in the countryside.

Detection devices quickly identify culprits. Identity details are traced and warnings are dished out to those caught breaking the limit.

Insp Hodgson said: 'One accident is one too many and we're dedicated to getting drivers to reduce their speed when travelling through the countryside.

'Picking out people flouting these rules and warning them they run the risk of being targeted if they fail to improve their behaviour will hopefully go a long way towards solving the problem.'

The decoy cars and speed monitoring initiatives are already under way and will continue as long as information about incidents and feedback from communities proves success is being achieved.

In the meantime, the message is clear - offenders are not welcome and those who target the countryside can be sure they will be identified and dealt with. HOME AGAIN: Carly Andrew, 19, has returned from Peru.