BBC News
Published
image copyrightGetty Images
Tougher sentences should be imposed on people who deliberately try to infect police officers with Covid, according to the Scottish Police Federation.
The body which represents rank and file officers warned its members face a new level of risk .
More than 1,000 police assaults in the past year involved spitting or coughing or were otherwise linked to the virus.
The federation said this year alone there had been more than 420 cases of spitting recorded.
It said the culprits were often treated too leniently by the courts.
The federation said Chief Constable Iain Livingstone had made it clear violent and abusive behaviour against officers would not be accepted.
Areas hit hardest by Covid had less input into police powers watchdog – report
eveningexpress.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eveningexpress.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Covid Scotland: Areas hit hardest by virus had less input into police powers watchdog, report finds
scotsman.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from scotsman.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.