POLICE officers in Scotland were coughed, sneezed and spat on by criminals trying to spread Covid-19 in the first three months of the year during the pandemic’s second wave, it has been revealed.
At least 13 incidents happened between January and March, prompting calls by the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) for tougher penalties for people who deliberately try to infect officers with the disease.
Police Scotland have described the behaviour as “utterly deplorable and unacceptable”.
The figures were included to the Scottish Police Authority’s board meeting at the end of last month and revealed in the second edition of a new justice and social affairs monthly publication 1919 Magazine.
Caroline Macnaughton, the SPF’s North Area deputy secretary, told 1919: “These statistics show the act of coughing, sneezing and spitting on officers is being used by criminals in targeted assaults. The act is disgusting and unpleasant and has always carried the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.
“However, with the pandemic, there is another new level of risk and that is something those who do it are well aware of.”
Last month 1919 reported that a Perth man with multiple convictions had his sentence reduced on appeal after being convicted of spitting in a female police officer’s face. Since then, it was reported a man in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, spat and coughed on officers as he was ejected from a house.
Previous reports have highlighted how other frontline workers, including paramedics and prison officers, are being routinely spat on by those who know it is a main source of spreading the deadly virus.
Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “Officers and staff stepped forward to help combat the spread of the virus, conducting in excess of 120,000 interactions with members of the public to explain rapidly changing guidance, encourage everyone to do the right thing and enforce the law where required ... Officers and staff work with dedication and a commitment to helping people and violence and abuse against them is utterly deplorable and unacceptable.
“It is not simply part of the job and will not be tolerated.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here