Assaults on Police: Body Fluids

(asked on 23rd October 2019) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to protect police officers from being assaulted with the use of bodily fluids; and if she will make a statement.


Answered by
Kit Malthouse Portrait
Kit Malthouse
This question was answered on 28th October 2019

I refer the hon member to my 9 September response to these questions. (HC287938, HC287939 and HC287940)

The Government is clear that police officers should have the best possible protection when facing the physical violence that is sometimes directed against them. Decisions on the purchase and supply of protective equipment are primarily for Chief Officers. The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory provides scientific and technical advice to support police where requested. The Home Office has made no assessment of the potential benefits for police officers’ mental and physical well-being of introducing needle-resistant gloves for use in searches.

Spit and bite guards provide officers with an important tactical option to protect themselves against spitting and reduce the worst effects of biting. The use of spit and bite guards is an operational matter for Chief Officers.

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