POLICE officers have endured a “sickening” spike in the number of assaults they have had to face during the coronavirus crisis.

A total of 169 crimes against Sussex Police officers were recorded in the first four weeks of the UK lockdown, which was announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on March 23.

Officers have been met with vile behaviour with suspects spitting in their faces, coughing on them and biting them as well as suffering racial abuse as they go about their job.

Over the weekend, a man in Brighton claimed he had coronavirus and proceeded to cough in the face of an officer as he was arrested for possession of cocaine.

The Argus:

Meanwhile an officer in Littlehampton was bitten on the finger by a man who had been slapped with a fined for flouting social distancing guidelines.

In two other incidents in Brighton, officers were kicked, grabbed, spat at and racially abused.

Deputy chief constable Jo Shiner said: “It is absolutely sickening that police officers, staff and other emergency workers, putting themselves in harm’s way every day to help others, are being faced with violence and the threat of contamination.

“I have spoken to a number of injured officers over the past month and know how traumatising this is, both for the officers and their families, worried about the consequences.

“I have no doubt the vast majority of people will be equally appalled and agree that anyone putting public service workers in harm’s way during this crisis, or indeed at any time, deserve the harshest of sentences.”

In Sussex, 122 assaults against police officers were recorded between 23 March and 28 April, an increase of 58 per cent compared with the same period last year.

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The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that such behaviour could constitute common assault, and attacks on emergency workers specifically were punishable by up to two years in prison.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “I’m appalled that the women and men on the frontline of this crisis are being threatened with the virus that they are working so hard every day to protect us against.

“Let me be clear, coughing or spitting at an emergency worker and claiming to have Covid-19 will not be treated as some sort of practical joke. It is a crime and you will face harsh consequences.

“Whilst most people are behaving responsibly to help our emergency services, a few individuals are continuing to act selfishly.

“In many ways this pandemic has already brought out the very best in our communities but where it brings out the worst, offenders will be swiftly brought to justice.”

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund