Police in Poole have started using a special DNA-marking grease to help catch metal thieves.

It's invisible when applied to buildings but each batch is unique, so can be traced when it gets on someone's clothes or skin.

The technique's being used at places including Upton House and St John's Church in Broadstone - which recently had ten grand of lead stolen from its roof.

A DNA marking grease has been applied to buildings in a Dorset town to help police trap metal thieves.

The grease contains microdots which bear a unique reference number. It is transferred to skin and clothing so raiders can be linked to thefts.

St John the Baptist Church, in Broadstone, which was targeted by lead thieves on two successive nights in April, has had the grease applied.

Dorset Police said continued metal theft attempts would now be "foolish".