HIGH value electronic equipment installed in state-of-the-art laboratories at the University of Northumbria is being protected from theft by SelectaDNA forensic marking.
The new £30 million Sport Central complex at Northumbria, Newcastle, which opened in September 2010, has been designed as a world-class training and event venue and contains £275,000 worth of IT equipment aswell as a new hi-tech golf simulator worth £60,000, all of which has been marked with SelectaDNA.
IT suites containing more than £30,000 worth of Mac equipment at the university’s London School of Design have also been marked.
John Anderson, Head of Security at Northumbria University, said: “We have taken delivery of some amazing top of the range equipment which is not only of high-value financially to the university, but is also of high-value to our students and visitors who are using these world-class facilities for their studies."
He continued: "We are committed to reducing the risk of burglary at Northumbria and the use of SelectaDNA is a large part of that commitment.”
Northumbria University has a student population of approximately 24,000, with over 2,000 staff. There are 67 IT teaching labs and 6 IT open access areas available for the University’s authorised users. The University is made up of several different campuses, spread across a wide geographical area.
SelectaDNA, produced by Selectamark, is an advanced forensic property marking system which links burglars to crime scenes and provides an unbreakable chain of evidence in a court of law.
SelectaDNA comes in a kit containing a bottle of DNA solution that can be easily applied to any items of value such as computers, laptops and overhead projectors. The solution doesn't damage the marked property in any way.
The unique DNA code in the solution can link each item to an individual university. This means that if an item is stolen and later found by police it can be traced directly back to the university, not only allowing the property to be returned, but increasing the chance of the thief being arrested.
Selectamark is endorsed by many insurers and SelectaDNA is a proven theft deterrent.
John Anderson said: “The deterrent aspect of SelectaDNA plays a major part in our ongoing property marking operation at Northumbria. We are using the deterrent warning stickers supplied with every kit and placing them in the lab windows where equipment has been marked.
“High visibility deterrent signage is also being attached to university buildings to warn burglars away from the site.”
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