More Maitland venues have chosen to install forensic marking technology to fight back against criminals.
In April, Beresfield Bowling Club installed a security system that uses a unique DNA mist to mark perpetrators and link them to the scene of the crime.
Now, other venues have followed suit, including Telarah Bowling Club, East Maitland Bowling Club, Easts Leisure and Golf Club, and further afield at venues in Raymond Terrace, Cessnock and Singleton.
The increased interest in crime prevention follows a spate of armed hold-ups and robberies that targeted venues across Maitland.
Beresfield Bowling Club had two armed robberies in 18 months.
The first was in January where staff were held at knife point as they emptied cash registers.
And the second robbery where a man armed with a gun threaten two staff members.
Telarah Bowling Club was also held up this year when two men entered the bar area of the club inn Clarke Street and threatened staff and patrons with a firearm before leaving with money.
The DNA marking system acts as a deterrent to would-be criminals.
When an intruder sets off the system, it sprays an invisible mist that contains a unique code, similar to human DNA, that attaches to the offender’s skin, clothes and equipment, marking them for the police.
The DNA stays on the skin for several months and a simple swab test tells police which venue they were marked in, linking the criminal to the crime.
Business DNA Security Solutions installed the system at the Maitland venues.
Business development manager Jeffre Murray said that in 18 months, not one of its clients’ venues had reported an armed hold-up.
“That is a deterrent in action,” Mr Murray said.
“It has a 100 per cent conviction rate and it has a 98 per cent reduction rate in criminal activity.”
Beresfield Bowling Club’s operations manager Todd Morley said since the system had been installed he had noticed a boost in the staff’s morale, which he attributed to them feeling safer in their work environment.
