Dorset Police officer tests positive for Covid-19 after being spat at
There've been dozens of these attacks during the pandemic
Police in Dorset have been spat at or bitten in dozens of attacks during the Covid-19 pandemic, figures show.
One officers has now tested positive for Coronavirus.
The news was confirmed by Chief Constable James Vaughan on Twitter.
The Police Federation of England and Wales say the attacks show "we are living in a more violent society which needs to take a long hard look at itself", adding that those caught should be sent to prison.
Dorset Police recorded 32 attacks on police officers which included spitting or biting from February to November last year.
That was up from the 24 reported during the same period in 2019.
National chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, John Apter, said the attacks on police officers during the pandemic was "a serious issue for us all".
He said:
"Those who attack emergency workers have a complete lack of respect for anything or anybody. Without doubt, we are living in a more violent society which needs to take a long hard look at itself."
He added:
"We need officers to have the very best protection, and there must be a strong deterrent - that deterrent should be time in prison, no ifs, no buts.
Overall attacks against police officers in Dorset have decreased with 120 recorded from February to November last year, down from 178 in the same period in 2019.
The highest number was recorded in July when there were 19.
In September, the government announced plans to double the maximum jail term for criminals who assault emergency workers to two years.
Firefighters, prison officers and NHS staff are also classed as emergency workers.
Policing minister Kit Malthouse said:
"Our brave police officers go to work every day to protect the public and being attacked should never be part of the job.
"Anyone who commits these despicable assaults should expect to face the full force of the law, which is why we are doubling the maximum sentence for those who assault emergency workers."
Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner is leading a call for police and council key workers to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and testing.
Martyn Underhill has coordinated a letter, co-signed by police and council leadership, making the request to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which advises health departments on immunisation.
The letter suggests that police officers and staff as well as frontline council workers such as teachers should be offered vaccinations in the same way that health and social workers have already been prioritised.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said:
"Ideally, we would want to see both testing and vaccination programmes for police officers and other frontline staff, enabling us to ensure we are still able to provide a quality service to the public as the country struggles through the darkest days of the pandemic.
"But we recognise the hugely complex challenges of managing the mass vaccination programme, and that we therefore have to be pragmatic. We accept there may be limitations, but we are asking the JCVI to extend the current provision of key worker support beyond health and social care staff."