Jailed: burglar caught red handed raiding north west London 'trap house'

 
17 January 2014
WEST END FINAL

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A man was arrested after being sprayed with invisible dye and caught on CCTV after breaking into a police “trap house” kitted out with hidden cameras.

Paul McIntosh, 32, was seized after activating a silent alarm when he broke into the house in Brent and stole several items, including an expensive watch.

As he burgled the property in November last year he activated a system which sprayed him with an invisible liquid called SmartWater which contains a dye that becomes visible under ultra violet light.

When he was arrested McIntosh’s clothes were found to have traces of the dye on them and he was found in possession of a watch that had also been specially marked with the forensic liquid.

Jailed: Paul McIntosh, 32

Police today released CCTV footage taken from hidden cameras inside the house that showed the burglar in action.

McIntosh, of Willesden, was jailed for 30 months after pleading guilty to burglary at Harrow Crown court yesterday.

He asked for other offences to be taken into consideration including seven thefts from motor vehicles, one attempted residential burglary and three residential burglaries.

Police in Brent have equipped “several” houses and cars in Brent with cameras and the SmartWater technology to trap thieves and burglars.

The scheme has seen an 80 per cent reduction in burglary and a 40 per cent reduction in street robbery.

In September last year a thief was arrested after he was sprayed with the invisible liquid when he broke into a “trap car” in Harlesden.

Police have equipped several “trap houses in Harlesden and were now fitting out further houses in Kensal Green.

The houses are left empty but are furnished and equipped with expensive items such as Play Stations, jewellery and watches as if people are living there.

Detective Sergeant Dave Abbott of the Brent Crime Squad said: "The trap house is completely impossible to tell apart from any other house in that street or area. The difference is the house is rigged up with hidden cameras which are so small that no-one is going to spot them or know where they are hidden.

“The first that career burglar Paul McIntosh knew about it was when we were arresting him. Even if you are looking for the trap house you won't find it until the Police come to arrest you. “

Acting Detective Inspector Madeline Ryder, who is in charge of the project, said : “The SmartWater technology in our trap houses and cars is so effective that in less than 72 hours from the trap house being broken into, McIntosh was arrested, interviewed, placed before the Courts and pleaded guilty. In addition, the stolen property was also recovered.

“The facts are very simple. Police set up a sting house and McIntosh burgled it. He took items which would have amounted to a considerable amount. He was tracked and arrested.”

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