Met police move to roll out spit hoods in all London custody centres labelled 'primitive and extreme'

A decision to extend a trial use of spit hoods to all police custody centres across London has been labelled “primitive” and “extreme” by a human rights charity.

Following a “successful” initial trial of the controversial devices at five custody suits in north-east London, the Met has decided to extend the pilot across the capital.

The force said it consulted with “partner organisations, community representatives, independent groups and magistrates” before taking the decision.

But human rights charity Liberty accused the police of trying to “quietly” implement the hood “with no public debate and no published evaluation”.

The mesh hoods are put over the heads of detainees who are considered at risk of spitting at officers and possible passing on contagious infections.

They were at the centre of controversy last year when a man was filmed screaming as he was held down by British Transport Police officers who put a hood over his head.

The police watchdog is now investigating the case after Ik Aihie, 20, was released without charge.

Martha Spurrier, Director of Liberty, said: “The police do an important job, which is why they are able to use necessary and proportionate force.

“Spit hoods are neither – they are primitive, cruel and dangerous.

“There have been far too many cases of their use against children and disabled adults, causing huge fear, humiliation and even suffocation – which makes it all the more disturbing to see the Met quietly roll this extreme measure out across our city, with no public debate and no published evaluation.

“If the pilot was ‘successful’, why can’t we see the evidence?”

But the force claimed the spit guards are “effective, proportionate and necessary” when “deployed correctly and with appropriate supervision”.

A statement announcing the decision said: “The Met has a duty of care to its officers and staff - the issue of spitting and biting is a real problem and a particularly unpleasant form of assault which rightly generates a lot of concern amongst officers.

“Aside from the fact that as an employer the Met cannot expect its staff to be spat at, or think this is acceptable, some of the follow-up treatment required after such an assault can be prolonged and unpleasant.

“Spit guards are a nationally approved piece of police personal safety equipment and are already used by 22 forces across the UK.”