Cops blast teen who faces spit attack rap
Boy accused of police assault
A teen yob allegedly spat in a cop’s face during a rammy in Paisley town centre.
Officers raced to Meetinghouse Lane to reports of a youths causing a disturbance on Thursday night.
When they arrived shortly before midnight to calm the ruckus, it’s claimed a teenage boy stepped forward and aimed phlegm directly in a male officer’s face.
Police Scotland said such attacks are made worse by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, with officers left fearing they may have contracted the potentially deadly virus.
Enquiries are ongoing into the incident, which include a trawl of town centre CCTV and quizzing potential witnesses.
Inspector Tracy Harkins, from Paisley’s community policing team, said Police Scotland has a zero tolerance approach to all forms of police assault.
She said: “Police were called to reports of a disturbance within Meetinghouse Lane, Paisley, at around 11.55pm on Thursday night.
“On arrival, officers were confronted by a group of youths and thereafter a teenage male spat directly in one officer’s face.”
She added: “Police officers working tirelessly to help protect members of our community and make the area safer for all should not be subjected to any form of violence. It simply will not be tolerated.
“Spitting, particularly at a time when fears are heightened due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, is utterly despicable.
“It’s totally unacceptable that police officers come to work in good health and go home a few hours later concerned for their health and that of their families.
“We will always take the strongest possible action in such cases.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed a 15-year-old boy had been arrested and charged with alleged police assault.
A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal and the Children’s Panel.
Express readers with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.