American-style police equipment to protect officers from contracting suspects' germs is being used in Sussex.

Spit hoods are pulled over the faces and heads of suspects who attempt to fire saliva at arresting officers.

Sussex Police was unable to say how often spit hoods had been used but confirmed the force had adopted them as part of their equipment.

On April 20 a hood was used during an arrest in Brighton.

The 43-year-old man was arrested in Church Street in the city centre at midday on suspicion of burglary.

A passer-by who witnessed the arrest described the hood as being “Guantanamo-like”.