“We have definitely seen more assaults of spitting and coughing at officers. It's horrendous.

“There is a person behind the uniform, they have emotions. They've got to deal with this because they know they've got to be out there on the front line trying to support the public and support the NHS. And it really does have an effect.

“Officers are doing their utmost to explain and encourage members of the public while under threat themselves.
“Officers are anxious, they want to stay safe.

“PPE is always something police officers have had to consider. Police uniform doesn't act as protection, and sometimes police uniform acts as a target. Using face masks and aprons is new territory for officers.”

Anna also said that Dorset Police Federation was focusing on its welfare provision for officers to help them deal with their worries or anxieties due to the coronavirus.

She explained: “We've got a good welfare department. Sometimes it may just be a conversation over the phone to support the officers but other times it needs psychological help. It's something we are working on with the force daily, monitoring it daily.”

Asked whether she thought the weekly ‘clap for carers’ should be extended to include police officers, Anna said the show of appreciation should be for NHS and care workers.
She added: “Police officers are just happy for people to wave and smile at them if they're in a vehicle.”

Listen to the full interview with Anna from 1:15 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p088wk59