POLITICIANS should spend time on the beat with police officers before criticising the service\u2019s request for spit hoods.<\/p>\n
Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said officers should be protected from all types of injury and assault \u2013 including biting, scratching or spitting.<\/p>\n
The issue has come to the fore again after the Met\u2019s plan to pilot the use of spit hoods was reversed.<\/p>\n
London\u2019s mayor Sadiq Khan voiced concerns about their use following interjections from human rights groups, saying the hoods belonged in \u201chorror stories\u201d.<\/p>\n
But Mr Bowles said: \u201cSpit Hoods or masks, what is it that upsets people?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all agree that violent people should be locked up and restrained so that they cannot hurt others, by punching, scratching, kicking, head butting or biting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do people baulk at trying to prevent officers and others from being spat upon? We believe that all officers require protection form all types of injury and assault.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot just officers, but anybody that works in the area of dealing with violence should be afforded that protection.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rights of victims \u2013 or possible victims \u2013 have to outweigh those of an offender.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I have said before, elected politicians should come out of their PR managed ivory towers and see what it is like on the street; in an A&E department; in a Housing Office.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere in South Yorkshire we already have spit masks available for custody staff to use on detainees, why can\u2019t the necessary equipment be in every police vehicle?\u201d<\/p>\n