Vile attack that West Midlands Police officers say is 'worse than being punched' on the rise

'It affects their personal and private life, and relationships with partners'

More police officers than ever are being spat at while carrying out their duties, according to West Midlands Police Federation. The federation's deputy chair, Jase Dooley, said vile attacks could have an "horrendous" impact on the region's officers.

He said that, similar to needle attacks, victims had to go to hospital to undergo tests. Officers may be required to have vaccinations and, in some cases, could be on medication for months.

“It’s disgusting,” said Mr Dooley. "When you speak to our members, many say they’d rather be punched than being spat in the face.

READ MORE: HS2 rail line from London 'to go beyond Birmingham' in 'major U-turn'

“There are all sorts of illnesses and diseases that can be passed to our members – the risk is horrendous. It’s the same when officers are bitten and their skin is broken. I’ve never known the number of officers being spat at to be so high.”

Mr Dooley said the attacks were upsetting and worrying for affected officer. "They have to go to hospital. They undergo tests, maybe vaccinations, and can be on medication for six months and they won’t know until after six months if they have got anything.

“The worry is horrendous. It’s not just work, it affects their personal and private life, and relationships with partners.”

West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich Cooke was contaminated with blood while making an arrest. He said: “There was a bloke pouring with blood, and I got blood in my mouth. You go through a few months of a very difficult personal life.

“They are testing for HIV, you have to be tested for three months. It’s a difficult period where you’re worried if you have this or that. It’s only a small chance but it’s very disruptive.

“The drugs they give you, in my case they knocked me out a bit. It can be a lonely place.”

Mr Dooley said officers should consider using spit guards to protect themselves if they feared they were going to be spat at. He said their use was controlled by the national decision model and the officer’s own justification for their actions.

He said: "When an officer makes a split-second decision to put a spit guard on someone it’s because they think they’re going to be spat at or they have blood in their mouth, blood is being spat everywhere when they’re talking, or they have previous for spitting on officers.

“Our members are dealing with this on a daily basis and we need to protect them. I’d say to them have the confidence that if you’re using spit guards or using force and you are completely justified in your actions we will support them, we will fight their cause.”