Latest news with #tagging spray
Daily Mail
3 days 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.'
Times
4 days ago
- Times
Invisible DNA tagging spray introduced to tackle football hooliganism
A police force is to equip officers at football matches with an invisible tagging spray that can be used to mark troublemakers and help them be identified months later. Cheshire Constabulary has announced that it will use the SelectaDNA spray at League One matches in the county, beginning with Crewe Alexandra against Accrington Stanley on Saturday. The spray is not visible, but clothing or skin is marked with a uniquely coded DNA solution that will show up under UV light months later. The sprays are also being issued to shops and businesses to deter burglars and shoplifters. The spray will deter those involved in anti-social behaviour around matches including in city centres and pubs LEON NEAL/AFP Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley, who is leading Operation Shield, 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 One matches in the county.' The most recent football disorder statistics showed an 18 per cent rise in the number of matches with reported incidents across England and Wales. Cheshire police hope the spray will deter hooligans or those involved in any anti-social behaviour around matches including in city centres and pubs, in the knowledge that the DNA tag will link them back to the scene of a potential crime. Mark Roberts, the force's chief constable and lead of football policing in England, added: '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. '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.'
