By Iain Eames-
A pilot scheme by the London Metropolitan Police, allowing specially designed bags, known as spit hoods, to cover ‘suspects’ heads during arrests and in police stations, is set to be launched in October.
The purpose of the mesh bags are to restrain suspects and protect the police from those who might try to bite or spit at them. The Met insists the hoods prevents exposure to diseases and serious infection.
Spit hoods are not to be used on the streets initially, so as not to incense the public, but detail on their use after the pilot scheme expires has not been provided
The scheme due to start in October, 32 metropolitan custody units will receive material and training on how to use the “spit guards.” Their application on any suspect will be recorded under the term “use of force.”The measure has been controversial with human rights groups, who have slammed the use of spit hoods “an alarming development” and as “cruel and degrading.”
Some police chiefs have suggested the hoods resemble the trappings adopted at Guantanamo Bay, which the Metropolitan police themselves once opposed.
“A spit hood is a primitive, cruel and degrading tool that inspires fear and anguish,” Liberty director Martha Spurrier said in a press statement.
“We have seen many cases where the police use them unnecessarily and without justification, including on children and disabled people.”
“Police have the power to use force against citizens when they have to – using handcuffs, arm restraints, leg restraints, pepper spray, batons.”
”The suggestion that officers need to be able to cover people’s faces and heads is as far-fetched as it is frightening. Spit hoods belong in horror stories, not on the streets of a civilized society. We urge the Met police to think again”.
Deborah Coles from legal charity Inquest similarly decried the plans.
“This is an alarming development with seemingly no debate or consultation and will do nothing to assist police and community relations,” she said.
“The use of a hood as a piece of police equipment is frightening and raises real concerns about its potential for misuse against the most vulnerable and discriminated against sections of society.”
Human rights charity Amnesty International said in a statement: “Spit hoods can restrict breathing, create disorientation and can be dangerous and extremely distressing. Serious questions must be asked as to whether these restraints which have been criticized for breaching human rights guidelines should actually have a role in modern British policing.
“It beggars belief that the Met police would choose to introduce these restraints in their toolkit, particularly given that so many other major British police forces have chosen to outlaw them.”
FOOTAGE
Only recently, footage of a young black man arrested at London Bridge tube station, who was aggressively pinned to the floor and restrained in a spit hood, has placed the British Transport Police under heavy scrutiny.
The recording, shared on social media, has led to the force being placed under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
Serious concerns have been raised that it will only be a matter of time before a death occurs as a result of these dangerous scheme.