Officers in Cheshire will pioneer the use of forensic marking technology at football grounds across Britain, with the force confirming deployment of DNA tagging equipment at League One and League Two fixtures from this weekend.
The groundbreaking initiative launches at Saturday's encounter between Crewe Alexandra and Accrington Stanley, where police will carry specialised spray containing synthetic DNA markers.
The technology, manufactured by SelectaDNA, produces an invisible coating on skin, clothing and equipment that remains detectable for months when exposed to ultraviolet light.
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Each application contains a unique forensic code, enabling investigators to connect individuals to specific incidents of disorder or antisocial behaviour at matches.
The SelectaDNA tagging spray is set to be rolled-out at football this season
|PA
The force trialled the system during March's derby between Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale before deciding on wider implementation across all League One fixtures in the county.
Police describe the spray as creating a forensic link between offenders and criminal activity, with the synthetic DNA adhering to surfaces and remaining traceable long after incidents occur.
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The deterrent aims to discourage troublemakers who know they risk being marked with evidence that directly connects them to any offences committed before, during or after matches.
Cheshire Constabulary becomes the first UK police force to systematically equip officers with this technology at football grounds.
Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley, who oversees Operation Shield, emphasised the force's commitment to ensuring safety for all supporters: "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."
He acknowledged existing safety measures whilst positioning the DNA technology as an additional resource: "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."
Wrigley expressed hope that officers would not need to deploy the spray but confirmed its availability for tagging offenders when necessary.
The initiative extends beyond football stadiums as part of the broader Operation Shield programme, with officers deploying the marking technology against individuals misusing electric scooters, e-bikes and off-road motorcycles.
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Officers in Cheshire will pioneer the use of forensic marking technology at football grounds this weekend
|PA
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, who leads football policing nationally, welcomed Cheshire's pioneering approach: "As the NPCC Lead for Football Policing I'm delighted to see that Cheshire Constabulary is leading the way with the roll out of this new tool."
Roberts acknowledged that whilst most supporters behave lawfully, some individuals attend matches intending to cause trouble, necessitating robust policing measures.
"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," he added.
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