Rugby clubs use invisible spray to deter thieves

Police are working with rugby clubs as part of a crime prevention scheme following a number of high-value equipment thefts.

Police said clubs across Cornwall had thousands of pounds worth of tractors, mowers and other high-value equipment stolen in 2025.

In an effort to tackle the problem, Devon and Cornwall Police worked with 17 clubs to offer SmartWater forensic marking kits, which can be used to mark up equipment and are invisible to the naked eye.

Hannah Denton, the forces crime prevention tactical advisor, said "burglaries have a significant financial impact" so marking expensive property in this way can put off thieves and reunite equipment to clubs if stolen.

Police said SmartWater was an "invisible forensic fluid that tags items with a unique code, linking them to their rightful owner" and a single application can last about five years.

Police said in September 2025, 35 incidents had taken place throughout Devon and Cornwall since March, including the theft of a £30,000 ride-on lawn mower and a trailer from Ogwell Youth Football Club, near Newton Abbot, Devon, and a £16,500 tractor stolen from Bude Town Football Club in Cornwall.

Denton said: "From children's sports clubs to adult rugby, so many can feel the effects when equipment that is vital to their daily running is stolen.

"So being able to help prevent this from happening in the first place, whilst providing some reassurance that if stolen items are found they will be reunited to their rightful owners, is positive."

She said clubs were also provided with signage which said forensic marking fluid had been used on all items, which she described as "another effective deterrent".

Cornwall Rugby Football Union said the initiative would "hopefully prove of lasting benefit" as it looked to address a "key concern at many clubs".

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