Union calls for tougher sentences for spitting and coughing on police
The union said that the coronavirus pandemic meant they brought a "new level of risk".
The Scottish Police Federation's calling for tougher sentences for those who deliberately spit, cough or sneeze on police in a bid to infect them with Covid-19.
The union branded these kinds of incidents as being "disgusting and pleasant" - and said that the coronavirus pandemic meant they brought a "new level of risk".
It's understood there have been at least 13 incidents of people deliberately coughing, sneezing or spitting at officers in the first three months of this year - when a second wave of the virus hit Scotland.
"Violence and abusive behaviour against police officers won't be tolerated - but the courts don't seem to have that view"
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable, Fiona Taylor, said: "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."
Caroline Macnaughton, the SPF's north area deputy secretary, said: "It has been made clear by the chief constable of Police Scotland in his pledge that violence and abusive behaviour against police officers won't be tolerated.
"But the courts don't seem to have that view, and too often people convicted of such incidents don't get the sentence they deserve.
"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."
Statistics issued by Police Scotland in May 2021 on total number of Coronavirus-related assaults between 2020/21
- North East - 150 coronavirus related assaults
- Tayside - Not available
- Highlands and Islands - Not available
- Forth Valley - 94 coronavirus related assaults
- Edinburgh - Not available
- Lothian and Borders - Not available
- Fife - 65 coronavirus related assaults
- Greater Glasgow - 336 coronavirus related assaults
- Ayrshire - 73 coronavirus related assaults
- Lanarkshire - 228 coronavirus related assaults
- Argyll and West Dunbartonshire - 31 coronavirus related assaults
- Renfrewshire and Inverclyde - 86 coronavirus related assaults
- Dumfries and Galloway - 24 coronavirus related assaults
- Total number of coronavirus related assaults = 1,087