POLICE officers in Oxfordshire should be given extra protection from infection by "spit hoods", the area's force federation has said.

Graham Smith, chairman of Thames Valley Police Federation, has been locked in battle with the force over the introduction of the controversial item of personal protective equipment.

The force does not provide officers with spit guards – mesh fabric hoods that are placed over the head of a suspect to protect police officers from being spat at or bitten.

But Mr Smith said that must change.

He added: "We are absolutely in favour of them being used.

"They’re a piece of equipment that prevents infection being passed over to officers.

"Unfortunately Thames Valley Police’s opinion is that they don’t want to use it because of public perception.

"The public’s perception should not outweigh officer safety. It is an ongoing battle between us and the force for them to be introduced, and we won’t stop until we succeed."

The federation said being spat at is not only unpleasant but can also pose a significant health risk.

Mr Smith added: "One officer suffering a serious infection is one officer too many."

The battled comes after the Metropolitan Police Force decided to reverse plans to pilot the use of spit hoods.

Mr Smith added: "Thames Valley Police will not even authorise use of them because of the public perception. We need to get over it.

That’s the bottom line; we need to get over it. If people wouldn’t spit at police officers, we wouldn’t have to use them. It’s a disgusting act, being spat at.

"We will continue to argue the case with force and the federation’s health and safety lead, Lisa Stanhope. We have not given up on it."