Calls for tougher sentences for COVID threats on police officers

The Scottish Police Federation has called for tougher sentences on people who cough, sneeze and spit on officers in a bid to deliberately spread Covid-19.

According to statistics published by the union for rank and file officers, there were more than 1,000 police assaults in the past year involving spitting or coughing or otherwise linked to the virus.

The figures were revealed in the second edition of the federation’s new justice and social affairs publication 1919 Magazine.

Caroline Macnaughton, the SPF’s North Area deputy secretary, told 1919: “These statistics show the act of coughing, sneezing and spitting on officers is being used by criminals in targeted assaults. The act is disgusting and unpleasant and has always carried the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.

“However, with the pandemic, there is another new level of risk and that is something those who do it are well aware of.”

Last month 1919 reported that a Perth man with multiple convictions had his sentence reduced on appeal after being convicted of spitting in a female police officer’s face. Since then, it was reported a man in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, spat and coughed on officers as he was ejected from a house.

Figures released in May show assaults increased overall by 6.3% in 2020-21 compared with the previous year, with 6,942 attacks recorded on officers and staff.

Of these, 1,087 were Covid-related after analysts searched for case keywords such as "spit" and "cough".

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: "Officers and staff work with dedication and a commitment to helping people and violence and abuse against them is utterly deplorable and unacceptable. It is not simply part of the job and will not be tolerated."

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “Officers and staff stepped forward to help combat the spread of the virus, conducting in excess of 120,000 interactions with members of the public to explain rapidly changing guidance, encourage everyone to do the right thing and enforce the law where required ... Officers and staff work with dedication and a commitment to helping people and violence and abuse against them is utterly deplorable and unacceptable.

“It is not simply part of the job and will not be tolerated.”