The UK government has unveiled a trial use of “smart water” technology to address sexual assaults on women at clubs.
Clubbers suspected of harassing women will be sprayed with the invisible forensic spray which remains on the skin for up to six weeks and stays on clothes for years. Suspects tagged with the liquid can be detected by shining ultraviolet light on them.
The trial was part of the 16 projects announced by Cabinet Office minister Kit Malthouse which will receive £12 million to address crime and other social issues with technological solutions, The Times said.
Security guards at clubs will be armed with canisters of smart water which not only helps trace tagged suspects but acts as a deterrent against potential sex offenders.
West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit has pioneered the use of the technology by providing more than 100 security staff of bars and clubs with smart water, the newspaper said.
With differential blending combinations, each canister of the forensic spray leaves its own signature on the tagged individuals.
The minister also announced another project to enable 60 prisons to test wastewater for detecting illegal drugs used by offenders.
The testing technology which was successfully used to identify the coronavirus in wastewater is now adapted to find metabolised drugs from inmates, including psychoactive substances, cannabis and cocaine, The Times said.
Malthouse said the government would remain proactive in adopting technology to tackle crime.
“We must constantly agitate and innovate to improve public services, always eager to try smart solutions to complex, deep-rooted problems across our nation,” said Malthouse, who previously worked as the minister of state for crime and policing.
“Whether it’s tackling drug misuse in prisons or finding new ways to confront violence against women and girls, this £12 million investment will help explore and develop those solutions so we can improve the lives of people in all of society,” the Conservative politician said.
UK government announces trial use of the forensic spray to tag sex offenders in clubs
Security guards at clubs will be armed with canisters of forensic liquid which remains on the skin for up to six weeks
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)