Officers spat at in weekend incidents

11 May 2020

Humberside Police Federation chair Pete Musgrave says he is ‘disgusted’ that more officers have been spat at while arresting suspects.

Last Friday, eight Humberside officers were assaulted as they carried out their duties.

While responding to four domestic-related incidents in Hull and East Riding, police were spat at and physically assaulted as they arrested three men and a woman.

Pete says it is a crime where attackers should feel the full weight of the law.

“I cannot believe that some people think this is an acceptable way to treat someone from the emergency services,” says Pete.

“Spitting at an officer is a disgusting offence at the best of times but to do so in the midst of a global COVID-19 pandemic, which can be transmitted by human saliva, beggars belief.

“Even with the more stringent custodial sentences that are now available to courts, it is sad to see this offence is still taking place.

“Being assaulted is absolutely not part of a police officer’s job and keeping them as safe as we can while they carry out their duty is not only the role of myself, the Federation and the Force - but of the public too.

“Officers put themselves on the front-line to protect individuals and communities so being assaulted and spat at is the very last thing that they should expect from members of the public.”