New technology which uses an invisible gel to fight crime is being rolled out by one of Cumbria's most prominent retailers.

The Co-op is introducing this this innovation - produced by forensic products company SmartWater - in its supermarket cash machines across the county.

It includes a device which will spray any criminal who attacks a cash machine with a gel which is invisible to the naked eye.

This leave a "forensic signature" which can then be found up to five years later, helping police investigate the crime.

It was piloted in more than 300 places last year, where it was found to cut crime by more than 90 per cent.

The Co-op is no rolling it out to all of the cash machines in its stores, including the 60 which are in Cumbria.

Chris Whitfield, Co-op’s director of retail and logistics, said: “ATM (automatic teller machine) crime impacts customers and communities – it can also have a disproportionate impact on rural police force areas where cash dispensers are more of a lifeline for residents and the local economy.

"At the forefront of combating ATM crime this proven technology utilises the latest ATM security capabilities and innovations to cut crime, providing a safer and secure way to deliver a key and convenient service in local communities.”

SmartWater is based in London and was started by Phil Cleary, a former police officer, and his scientist brother Mike.

Phil Cleary said: "This technical development represents a serious upgrade in the security of ATM’s as SmartWater products have helped convict hundreds of criminals world-wide and retains a 100 per cent track record in court. Simply, the ATM’s protected by SmartWater now represent too high a risk for criminals and the more professional will give them a wide berth."

Invisible to the naked eye, an amount of gel the size of a speck of dust can provide the “solution” for forensic investigators to undertake a successful analysis and help Police with identification, with the forensic signature guaranteed to last five years.

Steve Hurst, head of SaferCash, a scheme led by industry group the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) said: "SaferCash and the BSIA fully supports this initiative, using proven technology from SmartWater will no doubt lead to an increase in prosecutions against offenders. It forms part of the partnership approach and effective interventions which are cracking down on criminal activity and increasing the likelihood of capture and conviction.”