Police officers have become the punchbag for society's frustration, says chair of Yorkshire federation

One in four officers said they had contracted Covid-19, with almost half believing they had contacted the virus through "work-related" activities, a survey by the Police Federation of England and Wales revealed.

Thirty-two percent of officers reported that a member of the public who was believed to be carrying Covid-19 had purposely threatened to breathe or cough on them, while 24 per cent some had actually done this.

The concerning figures were revealed in the PFEW's Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey.

Steve Kent, Chair of the South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "These figures sadly highlight what we know and have been saying. There has been an unacceptable rise in assaults on officers since the pandemic began.

"I have been concerned that officers are becoming the punchbag for society's frustration and this in many ways proves it. Our officers are human as well and have families to go home to.

"While others in the NHS are rightly treated as heroes, our police officers - who are at the frontline of this pandemic as well - are being spat at and assaulted.

Other findings from the survey revealed many officers have struggled with their workload and mental health over the last year, with 77 per cent indicating that psychological difficulties had been caused or made worse, by working within policing.

Over half said they had been the victim of an unharmed physical attack over the previous 12 months and 53 per cent said they had found it difficult to carry out their duties because they were so fatigued.

Mr Kent's comments were echoed by Chair of the Humberside Police Federation, Peter Musgrave.

He said: "Being spat and coughed at, in the middle of a pandemic which has taken so many lives, is disgusting, dangerous and inhumane. In some cases, individuals who commit these offences are even saying they have the virus and hope the officer catches it then dies.

“Police officers on the frontline are increasingly facing abuse from a small minority who think nothing of deliberately weaponising the virus, and these people are the lowest of the low.