Man arrested over abuse of Harrogate shop staff claimed to have coronavirus before 'biting and spitting at police officers'

Police officers were allegedly spat at by a man saying he had coronavirus as they arrested him on suspicion of racially-aggravated abuse.
By Susie Beever
Published 11th Sep 2020, 14:25 BST
Updated 11th Sep 2020, 14:50 BST
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The officers were called to a shop at Railway Road in Harrogate yesterday afternoon (Thursday) following reports that a man was acting aggressively towards staff and customers.

After police arrived at the scene, a 32-year-old man resisted arrest and allegedly told officers he was infected with Covid-19. The officers also reported being bitten on the hand and spat at.

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The man, who is from Bradford, was in police custody on Friday.

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Police officers in Harrogate were allegedly bitten and spat at by a man claiming to have coronavirusPolice officers in Harrogate were allegedly bitten and spat at by a man claiming to have coronavirus
Police officers in Harrogate were allegedly bitten and spat at by a man claiming to have coronavirus

North Yorkshire Police saw a huge spike in reports of officers being assaulted during the coronavirus lockdown.

Attacks against the force's staff increased by 60 per cent since the end of March, with North Yorkshire's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan saying earlier this week that the public should be "disgusted" by this rise.