Smart way to cut road cable theft

Cables shown under light that makes the Smartwater markers visible

A UNIQUE crime-fighting liquid is being used to deter metal thieves on the M60 and M62 in Greater Manchester.

Highways England is using 140 litres of SmartWater on cables being laid along a 17-mile stretch of motorway for the “smart motorway” scheme.

Nearly 50 miles of cables will run through underground pipes along the route, used to power hi-tech equipment designed to cut congestion and improve journey times with variable speed limits and use of the hard shoulder for traffic.

SmartWater was created in 1993 by a former police officer and his brother, a chemist, and is now widely used by major utilities and infrastructure companies to protect metal and deter thieves.

The invisible liquid can only be seen under ultra-violet light and contains a unique forensic code that can prove ownership and link criminals to their crime. It is being painted on cables, equipment and machinery being used for the smart motorway project.

Paul Hampson, project manager at Highways England, said: “We’re investing millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on the smart motorway scheme in Greater Manchester so it makes sense for us to do all we can to protect that investment.