Greater Manchester Police have introduced a forensic spray device, to help identify antisocial behaviour (ASB) riders of motorbikes, e-bikes, and quadbikes.

The SmartTag spray provides officers with a tool for marking offenders linked to specific disruptive events.

Developed by SmartWater Group, SmartTag employs a traceable water-based marking solution.

Each SmartTag canister has a distinct forensic code relating to where it was deployed.

This will connect a suspect and their vehicle to the scene of the offence.

Examination under UV light renders the bright yellow solution visible on the suspect's clothing and their ride, showing they have been tagged.

Superintendent John-Paul Ruffle of the Prevention Branch said: "We are continuing with our commitment to dealing with ASB riders across Greater Manchester, we have seen 10 arrests made in the first six weeks of this operation and 54 bikes seized in the process.

"Our work with the Smart Water Group has been ongoing and we are delighted to be able to get these canister delivered and out in operation across the force immediately."

He also said that the device should encourage riders to stay law-abiding, knowing they can be forensically linked to crimes if sprayed.

Incidents in Wigan District have been significant, with 19 bikes seized in course of the operation, leading to five arrests, according to inspector Michael Crosthwaite.

He shared plans for putting up signs notifying off-road bikers of the SmartTag's operation.

"That is our aim, we will mark these bikes and further down the line when we come across them, we can tag them to those previous incidents, take them forward to prosecution and to get the message across to the public that we are doing something about this issue," he said.

The SmartTag technology has been embraced by DeterTech UK.

Gary Higgins, director of Security and Risk, added: "DeterTech are delighted to be supporting GMP, using our forensic marking product, SmartTag.

"SmartWater has a 100 per cent conviction rate in contested Court cases."

The Police are urging members of the public to report anyone using motorcycles antisocially or knowing where these bikes are hidden.