Spit guards for Cumbria Police

Cumbria police will be given spit guards after reports show officers were spat at every three days on average in 2018.

The constabulary say the guards, which are nationally-approved, will ensure officers working in the field are as safe as possible.

But Human Rights Group Liberty says they are 'degrading.'

Spitting, if done intentionally, is a form of common assault and can have an impact on officers.

If an officer is spat at they may have to wait up to six months to make sure they have not been infected.

“Sometimes we have cases where officers have had fluids spat at them and the person has known they have infectious diseases and viruses." , Chief Inspector Andy Wilkinson said.

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “It is vital that we ensure that our officers are protected so they can continue to keep our communities safe."

In the coming months, the guards will be given to operational officers who will be trained to use them.