HAMPSHIRE'S police force have expressed their anger over the Government's decision to not give officers a a level of priority for the Covid-19 vaccine roll . 

The decision has been described as "baffling" and a "major blow" in the fight against the virus. 

Zoe Wakefield, Chair of Hampshire Police Federation, said she and colleagues are "furious" following the Government’s vaccine snub as her colleagues are being "spat at, bitten and contracting the virus through their job".

“Police officers need protecting so they can protect the public,” she said. 

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, police officers were spat at  more than 100 times during the pandemic.

Between March and September this year Hampshire Constabulary recorded 115 cases of officers being spat at.

The incidents have been described as “vile, disgusting and awful”.

The news comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock last night told police officers in no uncertain terms that they will have to wait their turn to receive the Covid-19 vaccine - and that they will not be prioritised.

Mr Hancock told a press conference yesterday (February 8) that officers will not be vaccinated until after groups 1-9, as deemed by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which means they will have to wait for 32 million others to get the jab first.

Zoe Wakefield, Chair of Hampshire Police Federation, said: “I am completely baffled and angry that the Government are blatantly ignoring the need for police officers to be vaccinated in the next cohort.

“Do they not understand that vaccinating police officers will not only protect this essential emergency service but it will also reduce the spread of infection?

“Some forces have sickness rates of 12 per cent. That is not sustainable.

“Police officers are mixing with numerous people every day and are not able to socially distance in every situation. They are being spat at, bitten and contracting the virus through their job. Police officers have lost their lives due to Covid-19.

“They need protecting so they can protect the public.”

The Government decision to not prioritise police officers has come despite lobbying from the Police Federation, Chief Police Officers, the Met Commissioner and the College of Policing.

 Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last month that police officers should be vaccinated “as soon as possible”.

Hampshire Police Federation Secretary Garry Smith added: “Matt Hancock’s announcement last night was shocking and upsetting. Much noise has been heard around getting prepared for a roll out of vaccine to officers and so this was a massive blow to hear during yesterday’s briefing.

"Here in Hampshire just to have a couple of thousand vaccines for the high risk and vulnerable officers and staff would go some way in reassuring the public, reduce anxiety amongst cops and help us fight this deadly virus."