Spit guards introduced by 37th force
Just a handful of forces are yet to roll out spit guards after Northumbria Police started issuing the equipment to officers this week.
All frontline and detention officers in Northumbria were given the protective mesh hoods on Friday (July 20) after a staff survey showed 341 force employees had been spat at in the past year.
Their introduction means Northumbria Police has joined 36 other English and Welsh forces that offer spit and bite guards to their officers.
The force stressed that only officers who have been fully trained on the safe use of the devices will have access to them.
Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said: “This is an horrendous form of assault and as a member of the chief officer team I have a duty to protect those on the front line as best I can.
“Spitting has serious potential health risks as saliva can host a variety of diseases, bacterial infections, and other viruses such as colds and flu. The physiological impact of being spat at by someone who could be carrying an infectious disease can also not be underestimated.
“Anyone who has been the victim of such an offence faces an agonising six-month wait for test results to come through to find out if transmission has occurred.”