Scotland Yard is thought to have failed to tell London mayor Sadiq Khan about scheme that was to start within weeks

The Metropolitan police have said they will pause plans to introduce spit hoods after a torrent of criticism from human rights groups.

The Guardian understands that the Met failed to tell the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, about the controversial scheme that was due to start within weeks.

A spokesperson for the mayor’s office for policing and crime – which supposedly oversees the Met – said: “The mayor has not been consulted about this decision, and we will be looking into the details of the scheme before the pilot starts.”

On Monday the Guardian reported that the spit hoods, which the Met calls spit guards, would be introduced by Britain’s biggest force in October.

The Met says the restraint devices are necessary to protect officers from prisoners who try to spit at or bite them, exposing them to the risk of serious infection.



The Met was planning to start using them in 32 police station detention areas across London in a pilot scheme. On Tuesday, the Met announced a pause to the plans while it consulted further.

It said it had taken the decision in February to pilot the spit hoods, and claimed to have held consultations.

But in a statement the Met said: “However, with a new administration coming into City Hall since then, the MPS [Metropolitan police service] has listened to concerns and will consult further before starting any pilot.”

The mesh hoods have proved controversial, and there have been claims that they breach suspects’ rights and could even be dangerous.



Spitting at officers exposes them to risks of contracting hepatitis and such “attacks” by suspects have led to police taking powerful antiviral drugs as a precaution.

The Met in its statement laid out its view of the background to the pilot, which could have gone on to clear the way for officers on the street to be issued with spit hoods.



The Met said: “A pilot within the controlled environment of custody suites had been arranged for October. This was agreed by the MPS policy forum in February, which is made up of officers and staff from across the organisation.

“A consultation process regarding their use has taken place and involved community advisers from Newham’s independent advisory group, in addition to local magistrates and judicial staff.”

A spokesperson for the London mayor’s office for policing and crime said: “Any attack on officers carrying out their duties is completely unacceptable, and the use of protective equipment is sometimes necessary. The decision on whether to use intrusive tactics is a highly emotive one and should be informed by public engagement. We will be discussing the details with the Met and will consult closely with them, and see what further consultation may be appropriate, ahead of any pilot.”

The Met had previously opposed the use of the restraint devices, and some police chiefs have privately expressed concerns that they are reminiscent of hoods used at Guantánamo Bay.

The Met’s plan to introduce them was condemned by the human rights group Amnesty International, the civil rights group Liberty and the campaign group Inquest, which helps those who claim to have suffered at police hands.

In response to the Met police’s suspension of the planned pilot, Amnesty International UK’s arms programme director, Oliver Sprague, said: “We’re relieved that the Met police has decided to put the brakes on what was a very controversial decision.

“What’s urgently needed now is detailed national guidance on how these restraints can be used, the exact models which are used by all forces and assurances that this barbaric equipment will only be used when absolutely necessary.”

The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, has called for the use of the hoods to protect police. The Met says the deployment of the hoods will be classed as a use of force by an officer.

Before the Met announced that it was not going ahead with the pilot, Martha Spurrier, the director of Liberty, said: “A spit hood is a primitive, cruel and degrading tool that inspires fear and anguish. We have seen many cases where the police use them unnecessarily and without justification, including on children and disabled people.

“Police have the power to use force against citizens when they have to – using handcuffs, arm restraints, leg restraints, pepper spray, batons. The suggestion that officers need to be able to cover people’s faces and heads is as far-fetched as it is frightening. Spit hoods belong in horror stories, not on the streets of a civilised society.”