Leeds woman arrested for 'spitting at' police officer and claiming she had coronavirus

It happened in Acres Hall Avenue, Pudsey, at about 8.30pm on Friday.

Police were called to a domestic incident at a house, where a 36-year-old woman was arrested at the scene for a breach of the peace.

She was then arrested for assaulting an emergency worker when an officer was spat at in the face and claims were made about coronavirus.

A spit guard was deployed to protect the police officer.

An eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said: "It was very dramatic and awful for the street to witness let alone the officers.

"Hopefully that policewoman has been checked over and will be able to carry on working."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed a welfare plan was put in place for the officer involved.

The arrested woman was later released on bail pending advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.

Just yesterday, West Yorkshire Police hit out at people who have assaulted its staff in the form of coronavirus threats.

Some 33 assaults have been recorded by the force whereby officers have been coughed at, spat or breathed on by members of the public claiming to have coronavirus.

Such incidents are now classed as assault on an emergency services worker under new legal guidance brought forward last month.

Deputy Chief Constable Russ Foster described the assaults as an attack on the front line and a severe hindrance to the current public health effort.

He said: “At a time when the country is in lockdown, West Yorkshire Police officers and staff put themselves at risk on a daily basis to reassure our communities and keep them safe.

“Assaults on officers and staff are wholly unacceptable at any time and I hope the courts acknowledge the severity of these people’s actions in sentencing them.

“Policing is a difficult enough job at the moment and officers and staff worry whether they might pick up the virus and may be taking it home to their loved ones.

"While we are taking whatever precautions we can, these attacks clearly heighten the risk and cause increased distress."

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