CONTROVERSIAL protective spit hoods will be issued to police officers across Hampshire to protect themselves from the risk of being spat at.

The guards, which are made from a light, see-through, breathable material, are already used by officers in custody and will now be handed to frontline staff.

Hampshire Constabulary said the spitting of blood is increasing – putting emergency services personnel at risk of blood-borne virus contamination from the bodily fluids entering their mouth, nose, eyes or an open wound.

Spitting blood poses a risk of transmitting a range of infection diseases, including Hepatitis C.

Since last April, 126 assaults involving spitting have been recorded by Hampshire officers.

But the move has been criticised by Amnesty International who described some spit masks as "glorified sacks" which can be "cruel and even dangerous".

Police defended the move and added the masks will be implemented once full training has been completed and the spit guards have been bought.

David Hardcastle, assistant chief constable of operations for Hampshire and Thames Valley Police, said: “Spit guards are being introduced to help protect officers, other emergency services personnel and members of the public from this unacceptable and potentially dangerous behaviour.

“Our officers put themselves at risk every day to protect the public and we want to ensure that they have the appropriate equipment to deal with the challenges they face.

“Everyone should be able to go to work without the possibility of being assaulted, including being spat at.

“We have listened to concerns raised by officers and our Police Federation, as well as recent recommendations from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and have held discussions with our independent advisory group which comprises members of the public.

“They were supportive and we have taken the decision that spit guards will be rolled out to all frontline officers across the force.”

The spit guard goes over a suspect’s head and contains a section that prevents them from spitting.

Each frontline officer will have one available to them, and they will only be used on suspects who have already spat at officers, or who are about to spit - and only when a suspect has already been handcuffed.

Michael Lane, Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner, said: “Assaulting police officers is unacceptable and needs to be understood by the public to be so. A particularly vile method is spitting and this also carries with it potential health risks.

“I rely on my chief constable’s advice on the correct procedures to keep officers safe and to ensure the public are protected.

"One part of this array of methods includes making available to front line officers the option of using a spit guard.

“I have been briefed on the operational use of these guards and training that officers have been given, and will continue to receive annually, in their use.

“I have scrutinised this decision carefully, including taking the opportunity to wear an updated version of the guard myself.

“I will continue to hold the chief constable to account that spit guards remain the most appropriate and effective method for protecting officers and responding to this type of assault.”

All frontline officers will now receive guidance on how to safely and effectively use spit guards as part of their training.

The training will include the recording of incidents where spit guards have been used.

When using a guard, officers will be required to explain the reason for its use and will monitor the suspect at all times.

John Apter, Chairman of the Hampshire Police Federation, said: “Being spat at is a vile and dangerous act which is a growing issue for our officers. Often it is not just saliva but blood that officers need protection from. These guards must be available to every officer across the country, they must have the equipment to protect themselves.

“I have been campaigning for some time for spit guards to be issued to all of our frontline officers. I’m pleased that the Chief Constable has made this decision. It will add to the work Hampshire has been doing to support officers and staff who have been the victim of assaults.

“I know there are some who have concerns that the police will be using these guards but I would remind them that spit guards will only be used on those who spit at officers and pose a risk. If they don't want a spit guard to be used on them then my advice would be don't spit.

“This is the right decision. It will help to protect our officers, they deserve nothing less.”

A human rights group has criticised Hampshire Constabulary for equipping its officers with spit guards.

Allan Hogarth, Amnesty International’s UK head of policy and government affairs, said: “Police officers obviously have a difficult and sometimes dangerous job to do, but some spit hood models are little more than glorified sacks. Their use in some circumstances is cruel and even dangerous, causing extreme distress and restricted breathing, and they can even lead to fatalities.

“We are not necessarily against spit hoods in all circumstances, but they have been introduced by stealth.

"We now need to see a halt to their use while a proper consultation is carried out and standardised guidelines developed over the very limited number of times a police officer should be using hoods, which models they should use, and the full ethical and medical implications of putting hoods over peoples’ heads.

“Unless and until detailed national guidance on spit hoods has been put in place and proper training and monitoring of their use established, police should stop using these crude pieces of kit.”

What are spit guards?

Spit guards are made from a light, see-through, breathable material that goes over a suspect’s head and contains a section that prevents the person from spitting.

Why is this such an issue?

Increasingly assaults involve the spitting of blood, not just saliva. Emergency services personnel are at risk of blood-borne virus contamination from these bodily fluids entering their mouth, nose, eyes or an open wound.

This poses a risk of transmitting a range of infectious diseases, including Hepatitis C. The use of spit guards will reduce the potential for transmitting these infectious diseases. They are already being used by a number of forces.

When will they be used?

Spit guards will only be used on suspects who have already spat at officers, or who are about to spit, and only when a suspect has already been handcuffed.

How will they be used safely?

All frontline officers will now receive guidance on how to safely and effectively use spit guards as part of their training. This training will include the recording of incidents where spit guards have been used. This information will be regularly assessed.

When using a spit guard, officers will be required to explain the reason for its use and will monitor the suspect at all times. Officers will need to maintain the dignity of the suspect throughout the process.