POLICE in Dorset have been spat at or bitten in dozens of attacks during the Covid-19 pandemic - assaults described as "despicable" and "abhorrent" by police bosses.

One officer has tested positive for coronavirus after allegedly being spat at.

Dorset Police recorded 32 attacks on police officers which included spitting or biting from February to November last year.

That was up from the 24 reported during the same period in 2019.

Chief Constable James Vaughan said: "Our officers, along with our emergency services colleagues, have remained on the frontline throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, engaging with our communities, protecting the vulnerable and tackling crime.

"It is not acceptable that our officers come into work and face the prospect of being assaulted. For people to be spitting at or biting them is despicable in any circumstances, but particularly in light of the public health emergency we are facing. Not only do these assaults put our officers in danger but also their families.

"We will continue to deal swiftly and robustly with any offences of this nature and ensure offenders are brought before the court to face justice.

"We will also do all we can to protect our officers and ensure those who are subjected to these abhorrent attacks are supported within the force."

Posting on Twitter on Wednesday night, the chief constable said the force had "an officer testing positive for Covid-19 after being spat at".

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police said officers were called to Charminster Road, Bournemouth, at around 7.30am on Wednesday January 6, to reports of a man in the road stopping traffic.

"He was arrested and during the arrest it was reported that the man spat at an officer," said the spokeswoman.

"A 41-year-old man of no fixed abode has been charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker and being drunk and disorderly in a public place and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 23 February 2021."

Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said it was "absolutely horrifying that an officer has tested positive".

“This is something that nobody should have to put up with, and demonstrates the risk that officers and staff face on a daily basis," said Mr Underhill.

“It also emphasises the need for officers as well as frontline police staff and volunteers to receive the vaccine as soon as is reasonably possible. I welcome comments from the Vaccine Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi but we need a decision to be made about this urgently.

“It’s important to stress this is not about jumping the queue or taking the vaccine away from older vulnerable people who of course need it. Instead, it’s about making sure policing is resilient and is able to deal with the extraordinary demands created by the pandemic.”

The Police Federation of England and Wales say the attacks show "we are living in a more violent society which needs to take a long hard look at itself", adding that those caught should be sent to prison.

National chair, John Apter, said: "Those who attack emergency workers have a complete lack of respect for anything or anybody. Without doubt, we are living in a more violent society which needs to take a long hard look at itself."

He added: "We need officers to have the very best protection, and there must be a strong deterrent – that deterrent should be time in prison, no ifs, no buts.

"Time and time again we see officers who have been badly assaulted, and they see their attacker being let off with little more than just a slap on the wrist.

"This is offensive and fails to give that deterrent which is so desperately needed."

Overall attacks against police officers in Dorset have decreased with 120 recorded from February to November last year, down from 178 in the same period in 2019.

The highest number was recorded in July when there were 19.

In September, the government announced plans to double the maximum jail term for criminals who assault emergency workers to two years.

Firefighters, prison officers and NHS staff are also classed as emergency workers.

Policing minister Kit Malthouse said: "Our brave police officers go to work every day to protect the public and being attacked should never be part of the job.

"Anyone who commits these despicable assaults should expect to face the full force of the law, which is why we are doubling the maximum sentence for those who assault emergency workers."

"This year, as well as continuing to recruit 20,000 additional police officers, we will enshrine a police covenant in law to provide better support for our selfless officers, staff, and their families - one of the key areas will be on the physical protection of officers."