New DNA technology aims to halt Melbourne home invasions

There's no doubt home invasions, break-ins and crime more broadly are big issues plaguing Victoria at the moment.

But today we saw a genuine effort by police to reduce residential burglaries - holding a press conference before pounding pavement to get homeowners on board.

Police are delivering 1000 kits to residents in Geelong - each containing a vile of synthetic DNA called 'Selecta DNA'.

It's a clear substance - invisible to the naked eye - and each vile contains DNA codes unique to the resident using it.

The way it works is by swabbing a small amount of it the liquid onto valuables such as jewellery, iPads and mobile phones. In the unfortunate event that a resident does have their goods stolen from their home, the product allows police to link those goods to the home address it's registered with.

Today officers were saturating the streets speaking with locals in Geelong about the kits and how the technology works.

9NEWS spoke to some of them after they'd left an elderly lady's house. They were really pleased with the response from residents - most of them were interested in the idea and wanting to be part of the trial which starts on Friday. It's an Australian-first.

Mother-of-one Terri Hardy has already signed up for the trial and has applied the DNA substance to her engagement ring.

As a resident of Geelong, she’s nervous living in an area where there’s on average five residential break-ins each day alone. She told us she’s nervous, especially living with her young son Joel.

“Having a three year old… you can be… we definitely lock the doors now,” she said.

But I was quite sceptical about the concept.

I can understand how it helps recover stolen goods and return them to their rightful owner but I couldn't understand how it would actually stop burglaries in the first place.

I put this to Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh who cited two successful trials overseas.

In both the UK and New Zealand, Selecta DNA reduced break-ins dramatically.

The key according to the Assistant Commissioner is publicising the fact that the neighbourhood is using the technology.

In Geelong today, we saw stickers on windows at homes stating they were using the synthetic DNA and there were also signs in the streets.

AC Walsh said "that is the deterrent for potential burglars in this area....we want them to know that the likelihood of being caught and items being linked to them is quite high."

About 1000 residents will use Selecta DNA for six months as part of the trial. If successful, the technology may be rolled out in other suburbs aswell.

It's part of a plan to reduce residential burglaries by 10 percent in the next four years state-wide.