Brent 'trap house' catches burglar

A man's been sentenced to 30 months in prison after breaking into a police 'trap house'.

Paul McIntosh, who's 32, was filmed by cameras inside the house, and was later discovered to be in possession of items marked with an invisible forensic liquid called SmartWater.

His clothes were also marked with the liquid.

He was charged with burglary and pleaded guilty at Brent Magistrates' Court on 13 November 2013.

Police say Harlesden residents have already been provided with free SmartWater kits to mark valuable property within their homes and they say it has led to an 80 per cent reduction in burglary and a 40 per cent reduction in street robbery. Further funding provided by Brent Council means that another 3000 Brent residents will be offered free SmartWater kits in 2014.