Security installers, integrators, and, most importantly, retailers attending this year’s The Security Event (TSE 2025) in Birmingham were given a firsthand look at a new forensic spray system that aims to disrupt the growing trend of retail crime. DeterTech officially launched SmartSpray during the show, offering it immediately for purchase or rental. According to the company, the system is designed to link even masked and unidentified offenders to a crime scene—days or even weeks after the incident has taken place.
The announcement comes as the British Retail Consortium’s latest Annual Crime Survey reports an alarming average of over 2,000 incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff per day. While video surveillance remains a mainstay of in-store security, many retailers are finding it insufficient against increasingly brazen and organised offenders. DeterTech’s solution targets a critical gap: the challenge of identifying individuals who cover their faces to avoid detection.
“SmartSpray has been very well received by both retailers and the police who recognise it will deter offences and help put violent criminals behind bars,” said Gary Higgins, Director of Security and Risk at DeterTech, speaking during a live demonstration at the event. “It supports our purpose here at DeterTech of working with businesses and communities every day to provide greater peace of mind.”
The system integrates with existing alarm or surveillance infrastructure, or can function as a standalone unit. Upon activation—triggered during an incident—the system releases a targeted mist of SmartWater®, a forensic liquid uniquely coded to each specific retail location. Invisible under normal light, the liquid glows under UV and binds to both clothing and skin. It cannot be washed off easily and remains detectable for weeks.
Hazel Goss, Development Officer at Secured by Design, praised the innovation, noting, “This is exactly the kind of collaboration we want to see from retailers, security providers, and law enforcement. Enhancing the police’s chances of unmasking offenders is vital in combating retail crime, which is sadly soaring across the country.”
Crucially, SmartWater is admissible as forensic evidence. DeterTech’s own scientists analyse the samples and offer expert testimony in court, supporting prosecution at no additional cost to the retailer. In fact, only a trace—smaller than a full stop—is required to make a conclusive link to the crime scene.
Among the first adopters is BT, who deployed SmartSpray in selected stores ahead of the show. Richie Iwanoff, Corporate Investigations Team Manager at BT, stated, “The well-being of our staff and customers is our number one priority. We’re proud to be using cutting-edge solutions to keep them safe at all times. I sleep easier knowing criminals will think twice before targeting us.”
DeterTech has also introduced flexible terms for acquisition, including rental options with installation and maintenance. In addition, the company has committed to offering free refills whenever a crime reference number is provided, aiming to encourage accurate reporting and greater visibility of the scale of retail crime.
The SmartSpray system was one of the standout technologies at TSE 2025, drawing strong interest from retail security managers and integrators. With real-time demonstrations held throughout the show, visitors had the opportunity to see the system’s fast activation and discreet deployment capabilities.
By targeting the assumption that anonymity guarantees impunity, DeterTech’s innovation challenges the status quo. Rather than relying solely on image-based evidence, SmartSpray allows law enforcement to place suspects at the scene with a high degree of scientific certainty.
As concerns around staff safety and shoplifting continue to escalate, particularly in city-centre stores and high-street retail environments, forensic marking technology is being seen not only as a deterrent but as a tool for post-incident accountability.
DeterTech’s strategy is clearly to equip retailers with a system that reacts to crime and contributes directly to successful prosecution. The next few months will determine how widely this approach is adopted—but early signs suggest that SmartSpray is already gaining momentum.