BT is to coat its broadband cables with forensic liquid in order to help tackle the growing problem of copper cable theft.

The UK telecoms company is starting a national trial involving SmartWater being coated on the copper cables used for broadband installations. A trial in London has already been running, and BT said it's their intention to extend this to cover the entire UK by the end of the year.

Openreach, the company's engineering arm, will be coating both the inner core and outer shell of copper cables with SmartWater. It will also be sprayed onto installation equipment used by engineers, while SmartWater sprays will be fitted at high-risk locations to spray the liquid onto any intruders.

BT has had millions of pounds worth of copper cables stolen, which has affected the company's provision of broadband services to customers in certain areas. The decision to use SmartWater is part of the company's wider efforts to stem the problem. The company will also be stepping up patrols, improving perimeter security and working with the British Transport Police on sting operations to help catch thieves.

Bernie Auguste, BT Openreach head of security, said: "Cable theft affects not only us as a business, but the millions of people who rely on access to phones and broadband across the UK, and with the help of this technology we're fighting back."

SmartWater

SmartWater is a forensic detection liquid widely used for security applications around the UK. Invisible to the naked eye and viewable only under ultraviolet light (as pictured in the accompanying image on a BT broadband cable) it contains a chemical code combination that's unique to each location onto which it is sprayed. It invisibly tags a person's skin for 60 days.

"Anyone arrested for metal theft will be examined for traces of SmartWater," said Detective Inspector Robin Conway from British Transport Police, which is working with BT on the project. "A search will be made of the person's house and any property, including vehicles with traces of SmartWater on them, is likely to be seized by police. Scrap metal dealers will also be visited regularly to ensure they are assisting British Transport Police in identifying criminals attempting to sell stolen metal."

Copper Cable Theft

With the rising prices of copper in recent years, copper cable theft has become a growing - and very lucrative - concern for criminals. In the last year BT has seen a nine percent rise in the number of its copper cables, costing the company "single digit millions" of pounds according to a spokesman. In 2009 over 200 people were arrested by police for stealing BT cables, and already this year 150 thieves have been arrested.

The problem has also affected customers, with broadband services being cut off. In April thieves stole 3km of copper cabling, cutting off the broadband supply to nearly 2,000 people.