Dartford MP Gareth Johnson is leading calls to give emergency workers greater protection from being spat or coughed at during the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Johnson and 16 other MPs representing Kent constituencies have signed a letter sent to senior Kent judges, calling for anyone convicted of "coughing or spitting at or in any other way threatening an emergency worker using coronavirus" to face an immediate jail term.

The letter acknowledges the request is an "unprecedented approach" to Kent's judiciary but notes these are "unprecedented times", and says Kent Police has recorded a number of incidents in the last week in which officers have been spat at and coughed on deliberately.

Kent Police Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said: "My officers will always place themselves in harm's way to protect the public and in doing so they are sadly and unacceptably assaulted in the lawful execution of their duty. It is not unusual to have up to a dozen officer assaults over a single weekend and a growing number now include being spat at. The personal impact on my staff (and their families) requires months of medical testing and a great deal of anxiety until such tests have been completed. I am saddened that this behaviour is increasing, and I will stop at nothing to bring those disgraceful offenders to justice."

Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott said: "Kent Police Officers, staff and volunteers are on the frontline every day keeping us safe and protecting people from harm. It's disgusting that there are a few who think it is acceptable to spit at or attack them - and even more so when trying to cause fear by threatening them with covid-19. I hope that the law will be used to protect all emergency services and key workers with long prison sentences for those who attack them."

The only Kent MP not to sign the letter is Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whateley who felt her position as a health minister prevented her signing letters of this type.

The letter has been sent to the senior Judges at Maidstone and Canterbury Crown Courts plus the Kent Magistrates Courts via the Magistrates Association.

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