Spit hoods are used nine times by West Mercia Police

New figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show that the force that covers Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire has used spit hoods nine times so far in 2016.

All the people the hoods have been used on were white British males, ranging in age from 19 to 57, with the majority being in their 20s.

Eight of the people who the hoods were used on were charged with a crime, while one was charged but no further action was taken.

Spitting in itself is not a criminal offence and therefore would not have been the offence the people were charged with.

Further FOI figures released in July show spit hoods have been used seven times during the detention of a prisoner between 2014 and 2016. On all occasions, the detainee was over the age of 18.

Chief Superintendent Lee Davenport said: "West Mercia Police uses breathable spit guards to prevent a person spitting at members of the public or officers.

"They are only used where individuals are spitting or are threatening to spit.

"Being spat at is not only deeply unpleasant, but it also poses the risk of spreading infection. Where required, officers and custody staff receive thorough training in the safe use of spit guards and they are only used as a last resort."

Spit hoods are a relatively new tool used by some UK police forces and are used on offenders who spit.

They are a meshed hood, which is placed over the head of the person.

A number of police forces in the UK, including large forces such as the Merseyside Police and West Midlands Police, now do not allow officers to use spit hoods.

The use of spit hoods came under fire when Sussex Police used one on an 11-year-old girl with a neurological disability.

The case was investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission who found a custody sergeant and an inspector failed to ensure an appropriate adult was present, and both have since retired.

The force also took action against six custody sergeants found to have failed to ensure an appropriate adult was present.

Another custody sergeant was disciplined, having been found to have failed to ensure the girl was dealt with quickly, along with two police constables, who restrained the girl in handcuffs.

The use of the spit hood was not found to amount to misconduct by the IPCC but the girl's mother and her lawyer called for an immediate ban on their use on children.