‘Get tough on those who weaponise Covid-19’

16 November 2020

Thugs who weaponise Covid-19 against police officers should face the toughest possible sentences, says the chair of Hertfordshire Police Federation.

Geoff Bardell says such attacks can have a huge impact on officers’ mental wellbeing, as well as potentially their physical health, and offenders should feel the full weight of the law.

His comments come as new figures gathered by the Press Association for 24 forces across the four nations of the UK show 849 officers have tested positive for Covid-19 during the pandemic.

And spit and cough attacks against officers by individuals claiming to have coronavirus increased by 74 per cent in the first lockdown period.

Geoff said: “The weaponising of the virus by spitting, coughing and biting is absolutely disgusting and totally unacceptable. But it is the reality of policing that we’re regularly seeing this type of attack.

“The psychological impact of worrying whether you’ve contracted this horrible virus and are taking it home to loved ones can be huge, and that’s before taking into account the physical effects of Covid-19 on any officer who goes on to get it.

“This is why we need the support of the criminal justice system to hand down the toughest possible sentences to ensure the message hits home that these types of attacks are unacceptable.”

National chair John Apter, meanwhile, said a campaign by the Federation for PPE to be provided has helped to limit the numbers of officers contracting coronavirus.

John said: “By the very nature of policing, officers will always be in close contact with a large amount of people during their shifts. It’s inevitable some officers will catch the virus, although we would rather this not be the case.

“However, if it weren’t for the Federation campaigning so hard for PPE, this figure would be considerably higher.”

Members are asked to wear masks, particularly when social distancing is not an option, to wash hands and wipe down equipment before and after use.

Officers are also encouraged to download the test and trace app to their personal phones to carry on duty and familiarise themselves with the PPE guidance leaflet which offers practical advice around stop and search procedures, handling contact with the public and the PPE measures needed in many routine situations.

Geoff added: “We can’t be complacent because the virus hasn’t gone away. We’re into a second lockdown in England to try to prevent the spread of this horrible virus.

“Many of our colleagues have been on the front-line throughout this pandemic and seen the devastating impact it has, so we should continue to play our part by wearing PPE where it’s practical to do so.”