Latest news with #SelectaDNA
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Major football supporters' group condemn plans by police to use invisible DNA tagging spray to mark hooligans in bid to trace offenders
Plans by police to use an invisible 'tagging spray' on football fans have been slated by the country's major supporters group. Cheshire Police have announced that, from this season, officers will be equipped with SelectaDNA sprays at League One matches in the county. The spray cannot be seen, but those targeted will have their clothing or skin marked with a uniquely-coded DNA solution that would show up under UV light months later. The force says that, from Saturdays Crewe Alexandra versus Accrington Stanley match, officers will be able to use the spray on troublemakers, in an attempt to identify them. They hope the new addition will deter hooligans from engaging in anti-social behaviour around matches in pubs and city centres, given the prospect that they could subsequently be linked to the scene. Shops and businesses will also receive the spray, which it is hoped will deter burglars and shoplifters. However, the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) have been quick to condemn the move, which was announced on Wednesday. 'We have serious concerns about police forces deploying largely unproven technologies against matchgoing fans,' a spokesperson said. 'Misuse or inconsiderate deployment of DNA spray by officers could see innocent bystanders caught up in criminal justice procedures in which they have no reason to be entangled. 'The arrest stats continue to show that football is an overwhelmingly safe activity – with just 5.5 arrests per 100,000 spectators last year. So we have to ask: is this necessary and is this proportionate? 'What is particularly disappointing to us – at a time when Government has legislated to ensure fans have a voice in the game – is the total absence of consultation by the police.' Mark Roberts, Cheshire's chief constable football policing lead in England, has hailed the spray's introduction. 'We know that the vast majority of football fans are law abiding, but unfortunately on occasions there are some who are intent on causing disorder, which is why a strong policing operation is essential,' he said. 'I'm confident that this new tool will make a real difference, by helping to identify and deter the criminals who attend football matches here in Cheshire.'
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
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. 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.
The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
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. 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.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Football hooligans to be sprayed with invisible DNA tagging mist so cops can find yobs even months later
FOOTBALL hooligans will be marked with a DNA tagging spray which will stick to unruly yobs for months - helping cops to combat anti-social behaviour at games. The cutting-edge SelectaDNA mist marks skin and clothing with an invisible liquid which will make it easier for cops to link misbehaving fans to crimes. Advertisement 5 Crystal Palace fans clash with the police during a Premier League match against Arsenal, January 20, 2024 Credit: Getty 5 SelectaDNA Tagging Spray will be used to catch misbehaving thugs Credit: selectadna 5 The cutting-edge tool uses a uniquely-coded DNA spray to mark yobs for months on end The spray can remain present for months on end - and its traces are revealed by shining UV light on it. Cheshire Constabulary, among other UK police forces, are rolling out the new technology in a bid to tackle rising reports of football fan disorder. They will use the spray at all League Two games in the region in attempt to stop increasing hooliganism kicking off at matches. The rollout follows a successful trial at Crewe Alexandra's home defeat to Port Vale in March. Advertisement Crewe's opening home game of the season against Accrington Stanley on Saturday will be the first match to be policed with the new spray. It comes less than a month after alarming statistics showed an 18 per cent increase in the number of matches in which disorder was reported across England and Wales. Cops hope the tool will be a deterrent for anti-social behaviour at footy games. The extremely fine mist contains uniquely-coded DNA an does not cause damage to skin, clothing or machinery. Advertisement But crucially, the firm behind it claim the solution is almost impossible to wash off - a key trait which will help catch offenders. The new tech will serve as a stark warning to yobs that those planning to cause trouble at games will be caught. Edinburgh City Hit With Shocking 15-Point Deduction After Insolvency Ruling SelectaDNA Intruder Spray kits will be introduced at a number of establishments nationwide as part of Operation Shield. The force-wide initiative aims to deter burglars and thieves from committing crimes. Advertisement It 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." He continued: '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. '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." Advertisement He said he hoped that the tool would give "reassurance" to local communities who face rising concerns over their safety during football games. SelectaDNA has also been used by police to combat theft in a range of industries across the UK, protecting things like farms, vehicles and cables from burglars. 5 The spray will be used to deter and prevent hooliganism 5 Police clash with Legia Warszawa fans outside the stadium before the UEFA Europa Conference League match against Aston Villa, November 30, 2023 Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Football hooligans to be sprayed with invisible DNA tagging mist so cops can find yobs even months later
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOOTBALL hooligans will be marked with a DNA tagging spray which will stick to unruly yobs for months - helping cops to combat anti-social behaviour at games. The cutting-edge SelectaDNA mist marks skin and clothing with an invisible liquid which will make it easier for cops to link misbehaving fans to crimes. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Crystal Palace fans clash with the police during a Premier League match against Arsenal, January 20, 2024 Credit: Getty 5 SelectaDNA Tagging Spray will be used to catch misbehaving thugs Credit: selectadna 5 The cutting-edge tool uses a uniquely-coded DNA spray to mark yobs for months on end The spray can remain present for months on end - and its traces are revealed by shining UV light on it. Cheshire Constabulary, among other UK police forces, are rolling out the new technology in a bid to tackle rising reports of football fan disorder. They will use the spray at all League Two games in the region in attempt to stop increasing hooliganism kicking off at matches. The rollout follows a successful trial at Crewe Alexandra's home defeat to Port Vale in March. Crewe's opening home game of the season against Accrington Stanley on Saturday will be the first match to be policed with the new spray. It comes less than a month after alarming statistics showed an 18 per cent increase in the number of matches in which disorder was reported across England and Wales. Cops hope the tool will be a deterrent for anti-social behaviour at footy games. The extremely fine mist contains uniquely-coded DNA an does not cause damage to skin, clothing or machinery. But crucially, the firm behind it claim the solution is almost impossible to wash off - a key trait which will help catch offenders. The new tech will serve as a stark warning to yobs that those planning to cause trouble at games will be caught. Edinburgh City Hit With Shocking 15-Point Deduction After Insolvency Ruling SelectaDNA Intruder Spray kits will be introduced at a number of establishments nationwide as part of Operation Shield. The force-wide initiative aims to deter burglars and thieves from committing crimes. It 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." He continued: '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. '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." He said he hoped that the tool would give "reassurance" to local communities who face rising concerns over their safety during football games. SelectaDNA has also been used by police to combat theft in a range of industries across the UK, protecting things like farms, vehicles and cables from burglars. 5 The spray will be used to deter and prevent hooliganism
