POLICE will soon be able to place spit guards on detainees to protect them from blood and mucus missiles.

Thames Valley Police announced this week its officers will be provided with the mesh hats while on duty and have the authority to use them on suspects during arrests - if needed.

The decision comes after hundreds of officers reported being spat at while on the job, including some people spitting blood.

A police spokesman said: “Since April 1, 2016, 306 officers have reported being assaulted by being spat at.

“Of these, 30 officers reported being exposed to blood-borne virus contamination risk as a result of fluid from the subject entering their mouth, nose, eyes or open wound.

“The Thames Valley Police health and safety policy in these incidents requires officers to attend Accident and Emergency units, because spitting bodily fluids such as blood and saliva can pose a risk of transmitting a range of infectious diseases including Hepatitis C.

“The use of spit guards will reduce the potential for the transmission of these infectious diseases and are already being used by a number of forces across the country.”

Officers will go through training, including appropriate situations to use a spit guard, including addressing vulnerable people.

Human rights campaigners have previously slammed the use of spit guards, branding them as degrading.

They are disposable, and must be thrown out after each use.

David Hardcastle, assistant chief constable for Thames Valley and Hampshire Police, added: “We have discovered that over the last six months there has been an increase of assaults on police with officers being spat at.

“We are finding that offenders are spitting blood which of course creates a risk of infection.

“There are some really robust rules on which when officers can use the spit guards.

“It is only when they are being spat at or there is an immediate threat of being spat at.

“As soon as the person stops spitting it will be removed.”

Officers will begin training on Friday, February 10 and the spit guards will be rolled out immediately after.