The latest weapon against sporting hooligans is DNA tagging spray

A DNA tagging spray is to be used by police on football fans to prevent disorder at matches.

SelectaDNA marks skin and clothing with an invisible solution that remains present for months and shows up under UV light. It provides forensic evidence to link individuals to a specific crime or event.

It is being rolled out by UK police forces, including Cheshire Constabulary, which will become the first to equip officers with the spray at all League Two games in the region following an initial trial at Crewe Alexandra’s home defeat to Port Vale in March.

The rollout begins on Saturday at Crewe’s opening home game of the season against Accrington Stanley. It will come less than a month after the latest football disorder statistics showed an 18 per cent increase in the number of matches with reported incidents across England and Wales.

Police hope the tool will act as a deterrent to those participating in any anti-social behaviour or disorder before, during and after matches, as well as letting those involved know that they will be sprayed with a solution that will link them back to the scene of a crime.

The football scheme forms part of Operation Shield, a force-wide initiative in which SelectaDNA Intruder Spray kits will be installed at a number of business premises and shops across the county with the aim of deterring burglars and thieves.

English soccer fans clash with police.Credit: Reuters

The operation is being led by Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley, who said: “Here at Cheshire Constabulary, we’re committed to doing all that we can to make the county a safer place for everyone, including football fans, and we’ll use all the resources available to us to help achieve our goal.

“When it comes to football, we already have a number of measures in place to keep fans safe and the DNA tagging kits are just another tool in our belt.

“Starting from this weekend, we’ll be equipping our football officers with the spray whenever they are policing any League Two matches in the county.

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“While we’d much prefer not to have to use the spray, if required the officers will be able to use it to tag any offenders, with a uniquely coded but invisible DNA that will provide forensic evidence to link them to any offences.

“I’m hoping this tool also provides the local communities across Cheshire with the reassurance they need that our officers are doing all they can to keep fans and residents safe regardless of the result at the final whistle.”

London Daily Telegraph

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