At Hull City Supporters Trust (HCST), we stand firmly with the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) in expressing serious concerns about the deployment of DNA tagging spray by Cheshire Police at football matches, as reported by the Associated Press on 6th August.
While we acknowledge the need for effective policing to ensure safety, the use of largely unproven technologies like DNA spray raises significant issues about proportionality, necessity, and the potential impact on innocent fans.
The FSA has rightly highlighted that football remains an overwhelmingly safe activity, with only 5.5 arrests per 100,000 spectators last season. The introduction of DNA spray, which marks clothing and skin with a synthetic solution that can persist for months, risks entangling innocent bystanders in criminal justice procedures. This could unfairly affect law-abiding Hull City fans who travel to support the Tigers, particularly at away matches in regions like Cheshire and potentially beyond.
What is particularly disappointing is the complete lack of consultation with supporters or representative bodies like the FSA. At a time when the Football Governance Bill is progressing to give fans a stronger voice in the game, this absence of engagement undermines the spirit of supporter inclusion and transparency.
We urge Cheshire Police and other forces considering similar measures to:
• Consult with supporter groups and the FSA before deploying such technologies.
• Provide clear evidence that DNA spray is necessary and proportionate, given the low arrest rates at football matches.
• Ensure safeguards are in place to protect innocent fans from unintended consequences.
Hull City fans, and all fans, deserve to enjoy matches without fear of being unfairly targeted by invasive policing methods. We call on the club, the EFL, and the wider football community to join us in advocating for fair, transparent, and proportionate policing practices that respect the rights of all supporters.
For more information on the FSA’s stance, visit thefsa.org.uk. Together, let’s ensure football remains a safe and welcoming environment for all fans.
Up the Tigers!
Hull City Supporters Trust