'Spit Hoods' to Prevent Saliva Passing Infections to Police Trialed in London

A so-called 'spit hood' is being tested in parts of London to prevent potential offenders from spitting at police officers. The hood is made from clear colored mesh material doesn't have eye, nose or mouth openings and is used to cover a suspect's head to prevent offenders from biting or spitting on officers.

The mesh guards will be used for three month trial period in north-east London despite campaigners raising concerns about their use on potential child suspects and people with mental health conditions.

Met roll out of three-month pilot for use of spit guards in small number of custody suites https://t.co/AxLF8nkZ71 pic.twitter.com/rKHWtEfUW3

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) December 19, 2016

​Human rights group Amnesty International (AI) say the spit hoods are "little more than glorified sacks."

London City Hall has also raised concerns over the use of the hoods, which police say protect them from being spat at or bitten by offenders.

At London's biggest carnival, Notting Hill, eight police officers had to be taken to hospital to receive anti-viral treatment after being spat at whilst on duty. Plans to start using the hoods in October 2016, following the concerns raised by City Hall, were delayed.

'Spit hoods' are meant to prevent potential offenders from spitting at police officers.

© Photo : Herts Police

​A report, 'The case for protecting police officers against infectious diseases,' published by the Center for Public Safety, says the transmission of serious infectious diseases, such as hepatitis C or tuberculosis (TB) has "significant, potentially life-changing and lethal, consequences for police officers."

Cases of hepatitis C have doubled in the last decade in England, with London accounting for one in three new cases, the report states.

"In 2015, a 20-year-old hepatitis sufferer deliberately spat at three police officers who had been called to a disturbance. When she was arrested, she bit her lip and spat blood at the three officers who had to be taken to hospital for anti-viral treatment."

However, Amnesty International are calling for more clarification on the circumstances the hoods will be used in.

"It was a relief when the Met decided earlier this year to put the brakes on hasty plans to roll out spit hoods but there's no evidence that any benefit has come from this delay," Oliver Sprague, AI's UK Arms Program Director said.

"In the absence of a robust national plan on spit hoods we oppose this pilot."

London's Metropolitan Police say spitting and biting has become a problem for officers and said the guards would be trialed in custody suites — not on the streets and only by officers who have received specialist training to use them.

"The purpose of a spit guard is to protect officers from suspects who are spitting and biting by aiming to prevent the transfer of bodily fluids and reduce the risk to them," the Met police said in a statement.

The hoods will be used in custody suites in various areas in and around London.