UNICEF Calls on UK to Ban Tasers and Spit-Hoods on Children

The use of tasers and spit-hoods on children in the UK should be banned, according to UNICEF. A spit-hood is a mesh bag, placed over the head of a detained individual by a police officer to stop them spiting or biting. The global humanitarian organization reports that police forces in the UK use them disproportionately on BAME children and the use of these tactics contravenes international children’s rights standards. Between 2017 and 2018, BAME children accounted for almost three-quarters of spit hood use nationally by the Metropolitan police in London (73%). The Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) stated that this statistic ‘shows hugely disproportionate use of spit-hoods on BAME children given that they make up approximately 18 percent of the 10 to 17-year-old population.’

Read more:  Zaki Sarraf, Justice Gap, https://is.gd/oXnxGR