Latest news with #SmartWater
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
SmartWater: Forensic spray helping women to 'feel safer'
Victims of domestic violence are being given a forensic spray that proves if a perpetrator has approached which has its own DNA, will remain on the suspect's skin for up to six weeks and can help lead to convictions. Perpetrators are told that victims are carrying the spray in a bid to deter them from contacting the Police has been trialling SmartWater since January, with early feedback suggesting it is Insp Ash Shingler said: "We're working with seven victims. None of the SmartWater has been deployed - that's a good sign because it means the preventative element seems to be working." The invisible fluid, traditionally used to forensically mark items such as bikes and valuables, is now being given to high-risk victims of domestic can use the spray to prove a perpetrator did approach them or break their bail conditions or banning deployed the substance can be used as evidence, forensic laboratories only need a "pin-prick".Chief Insp Shingler said: "The spray has individual codes, the substance shows up under UV light and the code itself is unique to the spray and registered to the victim. "Once it's sent to the lab, it can be viewed like a barcode – it's got it's own DNA." Clare Joynes, the rural domestic abuse coordinator for Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service, said the "psychological impact" for victims was often felt like they could not "trust the world anymore", said Ms Joynes, adding "anything like this [pilot] that makes people feel safer" is a good thing."That gives them that feeling that yes they can go out, they can safely answer their door is going to be massive in terms of the psychological impact and their ability to recover," she added.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman catches stalker with SmartWater spray
A stalker was caught after a woman sprayed a traceable liquid on him. Neil Leddon, 54, of Mooney Place, Howden, followed the woman down her street and drove into her car, breaching bail conditions, Humberside Police said. She used a canister of "SmartWater", given to her by police, to show he had been harassing her, as it cannot be washed off. Leddon pleaded guilty to stalking, careless driving and driving without insurance during a hearing at Hull Crown Court on Tuesday. He is due to be sentenced on 4 June. Det Insp Helen Collier, of Humberside Police, said Leddon was a "relentless stalker" who had taken photos of the woman and waited outside her home and workplace on "multiple occasions" in November last year. His actions caused her "fear and alarm", but her use of SmartWater helped officers to "stack up the evidence" against him. The liquid is invisible to the eye but shows up under ultraviolet light. Det Insp Collier said the force had been using the technology since June last year in order to deter perpetrators and protect victims of domestic abuse. "The brave actions taken by the woman to deploy her SmartWater cannister is admirable," she added. "We know that this technology makes a real difference to victims of domestic abuse and stalking, helping them feel safer and more in control." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Related internet links
BBC News
07-05-2025
- BBC News
Woman catches Howden stalker with SmartWater spray
Woman catches stalker with SmartWater spray 7 minutes ago Share Save Share Save Humberside Police Neil Leddon, 54, has been described by police as a "relentless stalker" A stalker was caught after a woman sprayed a traceable liquid on him. Neil Leddon, 54, of Mooney Place, Howden, followed the woman down her street and drove into her car, breaching bail conditions, Humberside Police said. She used a canister of "SmartWater", given to her by police, to show he had been harassing her, as it cannot be washed off. Leddon pleaded guilty to stalking, careless driving and driving without insurance during a hearing at Hull Crown Court on Tuesday. He is due to be sentenced on 4 June. Det Insp Helen Collier, of Humberside Police, said Leddon was a "relentless stalker" who had taken photos of the woman and waited outside her home and workplace on "multiple occasions" in November last year. His actions caused her "fear and alarm", but her use of SmartWater helped officers to "stack up the evidence" against him. The liquid is invisible to the eye but shows up under ultraviolet light. Det Insp Collier said the force had been using the technology since June last year in order to deter perpetrators and protect victims of domestic abuse. "The brave actions taken by the woman to deploy her SmartWater cannister is admirable," she added. "We know that this technology makes a real difference to victims of domestic abuse and stalking, helping them feel safer and more in control."
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons 2025 NFL draft grades: What did ESPN, PFF and NFL.com say?
Falcons 2025 NFL draft grades: What did ESPN, PFF and say? What did NFL analysts say about the Falcons' 2025 draft class? The Atlanta Falcons are happy with their 2025 NFL draft haul, but analysts around the league seem to be split. Whenever a team makes a bold move, as the Falcons did by trading up for Tennessee edge James Pearce Jr., opinions are going to vary. General manager Terry Fontenot's approach reflected that of a man who knows he must win to keep his job beyond next season. Having a win-now approach didn't bother a Falcons fan base that's desperate to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season. Let's take a look at what the top NFL analysts around the country had to say about the Falcons' 2025 draft class. Pro Football Focus draft grade: A- "Walker brings natural athleticism at off-ball linebacker and edge rusher, providing a versatile defender to a Falcons defense in need of impact playmakers," PFF writes. "Atlanta ranked 31st in pass-rush win rate (34.2%) and 29th in total quarterback pressures (230) in 2024, likely resulting in Walker finding a home on the edge." ESPN (Mel Kiper Jr.) draft grade: C "The Falcons used their first four picks on the defensive side of the ball for the first time since 2009," wrote Kiper. "I just wish one of them went to the cornerback group and maybe one of them was directed at defensive tackle. But the real hit -- the key reason I gave Atlanta this "C" -- was trading away the 2026 first-rounder." draft grade: B- "The Falcons did not mess around when it came to addressing their pass rush need, getting good value in Walker at No. 15 and taking a chance on Pearce's upside later in Round 1," wrote Chad Reuter. "The risk of giving up a 2026 first-rounder to trade up for Pearce was somewhat mitigated by receiving a 2025 third-rounder in return. They met a huge need with the selection of the ballhawking Watts in Round 3." CBS Sports draft grade: B- "General manager Terry Fontenot has no chill -- he didn't just avoid picking an offensive skill-position player in Round 1; he doubled dipped at edge rusher that included a massive trade up for the uber-talented James Pearce Jr.," wrote CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso. "Watts is about as high floor as a deep safety prospect can get, and Bowman is boom or bust. He's a madman carrying out a variety of defensive back roles, but seemingly misses every other tackle attempt and has a tiny frame." Touchdown Wire draft grade: B- "Had the Falcons just traded back into the first round for James Pearce, fine," wrote Jarrett Bailey. "Unfortunately for them, they gave up their 2026 first-round pick to do so, which is like paying $37 for a bottle of Smart Water. Pearce may end up being a good NFL player, but needlessly giving up a future first-round pick knocks their grade down substantially, which is a shame because Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman were both good value picks, and Jalon Walker will likely be pretty good." College Football News draft rank: 4th "It's all about the pass rushers," wrote CFN's Pete Fiutak. "The Falcons needed them, they traded away next year's No. 1 to get Tennessee's James Pearce to go along with 15th overall pick Jalon Walker, and now the problem is solved ... maybe. There were only five picks, but between those two pass rushers, a whopper of a steal of Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts in the third, Oklahoma safety Billy bowman in the fourth, and a wonderful under-the-radar grab of Wisconsin OT Jack Nelson in the seventh, every pick was a great idea." Make sure to check out our Falcons post-draft starting lineup projections on offense and defense!
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Alleged Detroit shoplifter caught on camera driving U-Haul at employee
The Brief A suspected shoplifter is being searched for by police after being caught on camera trying to run over an employee. Harold Jackson had no idea his day at work would end in such a way. He was trying to reason with a guy who he said was shoplifting, over what he said was Smart Water. DETROIT (FOX 2) - It was an intense scene outside a Dollar General store as an employee says a suspected shoplifter tried to run him over with video capturing the whole incident. What they're saying The employee had some bumps and bruises and was able to head back to work, but he is a little frustrated that the suspect still hasn't been caught. Harold Jackson, the guy in the orange gloves in the video, had no idea his day at work would end in such a way. "Trying to maneuver around and get a way from him, but he kept trying to circle around, trying to hit me with the U-Haul," he said. The incident happened on April 5 at the Dollar General on West Grand River. Harold had been on the job for about four months when someone called for help. "I hear a loud 'Harold' in the background, and the next thing you know, I come up front to approach the situation," he said. He was trying to reason with a guy who he said was shoplifting, over what he said was Smart Water. As it spills out in the parking lot, the suspect takes a swing at him. "Did a little 360, came back, tried to go back around. By that time, he hopped in the car. I have never seen someone hop in the car so fast," he said. Harold says he thought it was over at that point, but the driver puts the truck in gear as Harold stands in front. "I seen the U-Haul just coming forward, so that's what gave me enough time to turn a little bit, if I didn't turn a little, he would have hit dead set center in my pelvis," he said. Dig deeper Over twenty days later, there are still reminders of how close a call it was: skid marks on the sidewalk and tire tracks on the lawn. He says not only would he get some peace over news of an arrest, but he says you never know what else this person could be capable of. Especially when you scan the parking lot and see cameras covering all angles. Detroit police are working with Crime Stoppers, offering one thousand dollars for any tips that lead to an arrest. You can remain 100% anonymous; just call 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
