BUS drivers could soon be armed with a new weapon to crack down on the latest problem they face - passengers spitting at them.

Transport bosses are considering introducing the specialist equipment - dubbed spit kits - after a spate of disgusting incidents.

A city register of "big spitters" could be set up using the DNA-testing kits, which contain latex gloves, a swab and a self-sealing bag.

Spitting is now the biggest problem on Southampton buses with up to three people a week venting their anger over fares or timing.

Drivers fear the problem could increase now that anti-assault screens prevent drivers being punched.

Now First Hampshire has announced a crackdown on spitting and say they are looking into a scheme being piloted in Glasgow, where so-called spit kits are put on every bus.

It allows the driver to mop up the saliva with a sterile swab, place it in the special bag and, at the end of the shift, the sample will be sent off for DNA analysis.

The results go on to a database of spitting passengers. If the offender is already on the system, police can swoop immediately.

If there is no match, the sample will be kept and checked against new DNA samples until the spitter is identified. Mike Smith, operations director at First Hampshire, has been in touch with Scotland sister company, First Glasgow, to find out more about the scheme.

He said: "Spitting is now an assault. It's a crime, and drivers are more and more worried about diseases. Our management board have agreed for me to look at the spit kits and if it's affordable we could get it.

"If people know their names will go onto a DNA register they might think twice about it."

Jim Crolla, First's trade union rep, said the kits could be the answer to a growing problem on Southampton buses.

"Spitting is all over. It's taken off in the past six to nine months, I think because of these screens protecting the driver. People realise they can't hit you so they try to spit through the gap, onto your hands, anything.

"Most drivers say they would rather be punched than spat at, especially in the face. Anything that might cut this out is good."

The scheme has been running in Glasgow since the beginning of September and spit kits were dished out to staff on the London Underground this summer.

First Hampshire is only looking at setting up a pilot scheme at this stage.