Northumbria Police has adopted Smart Water in a drive to deal with the problem in Sunderland.

Each dose of the water contains individual DNA registered to the homeowner which leaves a unique, invisible mark on property.

Any stolen property which is recovered can then by identified by the individual mark using ultraviolet light.

Police will also keep a Smart Water database.

Sunderland City crime prevention officer, Pc Joe Bradley said: "This technique will be used throughout Sunderland City .

"Through analysis of crime patterns we will be able to pinpoint areas identified as targets and visit these homes to help protect residents from thieves."

The Home Office is funding the project after it allocated �5,000 towards cutting house burglary in Sunderland.

Police will visit residents to help people use the product and evaluate the scheme.