SelectaDNA Technology Deployed by Cheshire Police to Combat Football Disorder

SelectaDNA Technology Deployed by Cheshire Police to Combat Football Disorder

SelectaDNA is proud to announce that our SelectaDNA Defence Spray (used for tagging offenders) is being rolled out by Cheshire Constabulary - the first police service in the UK to deploy the forensic marking solution at English Football League football matches. 

This decision follows a successful trial at the Crewe Alexandra versus Port Vale match in March and forms part of a broader initiative, Operation Shield, to tackle anti-social behaviour and criminality across the county. The rollout will begin this weekend at the Crewe Alexandra versus Accrington Stanley game on Saturday 9 August at the Mornflake Stadium. 

The uniquely-coded, invisible DNA solution is designed to link individuals to specific crimes or incidents, whether on the streets, in stadiums, or in retail environments. The solution can remain on skin and clothing for weeks, and sometimes even months, and can be detected under UV light -making it a powerful deterrent and an invaluable tool for gathering forensic evidence. 

A targeted handheld spray for safer events 

SelectaDNA’s Defence Spray is designed to protect fans, officers, and the wider public while addressing key safety and fairness concerns: 

• Protecting honest supporters – Aimed solely at the small minority who cause trouble, helping genuine fans enjoy matches without disruption. 
• Highly targeted application – Specially designed to mark only offenders and can be used conjunction with CCTV and body cameras; accidental marking of bystanders is extremely rare. 
• Clear safeguards against misuse – Only used by specially trained officers in specific situations. 
• Non-toxic and non-harmful – Safe for use in crowded environments, posing no health risks to fans or officers. 
• De-escalation, not confrontation – Reduces the need for more forceful interventions, allowing officers to act quickly without escalating tensions or risking injury. 
• Strong evidential value – The uniquely coded DNA remains on skin and clothing for weeks or even months, helping link offenders to incidents after the fact. 
• Proven track record – Already in use by 75% of police services across the UK to tackle crimes from moped-enabled robberies to retail theft and anti-social behaviour; now extended to football for the same proven results. 

Proven results in the field 

SelectaDNA’s technology is already being used successfully by police services across the UK. Notably, during the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Venice, which targeted moped-enabled crime in London - including smash-and-grab robberies - our spray helped contribute to a 54% reduction in offences, with 13,000 officers trained in its deployment. 

In the private sector, major retailers such as JD Sports have used the Defence Spray in-store, where it has proven effective not just in identifying offenders, but in de-escalating volatile situations. The visual deterrent alone has had a measurable impact in discouraging shoplifters and organised gangs targeting retail locations. 

Supporting safer stadiums and communities 

The rollout in Cheshire means that officers policing all League Two football matches will now carry SelectaDNA Defence Spray, allowing them to tag individuals involved in disorder. This ensures they can be traced back to a scene even if they evade arrest at the time. 

The spray’s presence alone is expected to deter anti-social behaviour before, during and after games - enhancing public confidence and safety at football events. 

Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley of Cheshire Constabulary commented: 

“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... 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.” 

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC Lead for Football Policing, 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… I’m confident that this new tool will make a real difference.” 

James Brown, Managing Director of SelectaDNA explained:  

“We are proud to support Cheshire Constabulary as the first police force in the UK to deploy our SelectaDNA tagging sprays at English Football League matches. This marks a significant step forward in tackling match-day disorder and broader criminality. By equipping officers with the ability to forensically tag offenders we're providing a powerful tool that deters anti-social behaviour and supports safer outcomes for fans, communities, and officers alike.” 

At SelectaDNA, we are committed to supporting police and businesses alike with cutting-edge forensic marking solutions that deter crime, support convictions, and improve public safety. 

For more information on our Defence Spray and other crime prevention solutions, contact:  

E: [email protected]  

T: +44 (0)1689 860757   

W: SelectaDNA Defence Spray Kit | SelectaDNA