POLICE on the Isle of Wight will be issued with controversial spit guards to protect themselves from infectious diseases.
The hoods are made of a light, see-through, breathable material and will only be used on people who have already spat at officers, or who are about to spit, and only when a suspect has already been handcuffed, police said.
But their introduction by other forces has prompted criticism from some, including human rights campaigners Liberty.
Following the launch of a Met Police pilot project using spit guards last year, Martha Spurrier, director of Liberty told the Independent: "A spit hood is a primitive, cruel and degrading tool that inspires fear and anguish.
"We have seen many cases where the police use them unnecessarily and without justification, including on children and disabled people.
"Police have the power to use force against citizens when they have to – using handcuffs, arm restraints, leg restraints, pepper spray, batons.
"The suggestion that officers need to be able to cover people’s faces and heads is as far-fetched as it is frightening.
"Spit hoods belong in horror stories, not on the streets of a civilised society — we urge the Met Police to think again."
A Hampshire police spokesman said however: "Increasingly, assaults involve the spitting of blood, not just saliva. Emergency services personnel are at risk of blood-borne virus contamination from these bodily fluids entering their mouth, nose, eyes or an open wound.
"This poses a risk of transmitting a range of infectious diseases, including Hepatitis C. The use of spit guards will reduce the potential for transmitting these infectious diseases. They are already being used by a number of forces."
Hampshire constabulary officers already use spit guards in custody and this will now be extended to all front line staff.
Since April 2016, 126 assaults involving spitting have been recorded by Hampshire constabulary officers and the spitting of blood is increasing, the force said.
Following consultation, the decision was made jointly with Thames Valley Police and will be implemented once training has been completed.
When using a spit guard, officers will be required to explain the reason for its use and will monitor the suspect at all times. Officers will need to maintain the dignity of the suspect throughout the process, a police spokesperson said.
Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Michael Lane, said: "Assaulting police officers is unacceptable and needs to be understood by the public to be so. A particularly vile method is spitting and this also carries with it potential health risks."