Co-op to splash the cash

THOUSANDS of cash machines are to be equipped with a crimebusting gel.

The Co-op is joining forces with forensic technology company SmartWater to roll out the deterrent liquid to 2,400 ATMs.

The technology marks stolen cash and the criminals involved in all forms of ATM crime with the gel.

It is invisible to the naked eye but can be detected with specialist equipment for up to five years.

The gel contains a unique forensic code for each location.

The Co-op’s Chris Whitfield said: “The technology is at the forefront of combating ATM crime.”