Britain's largest police force will not use spit guards on suspects in the street.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said the protective hoods should only be fitted to those in custody.

The move comes despite the Home Secretary saying earlier this year it was 'ridiculous' that the masks were not in widespread use.

Sajid Javid said: 'I cannot understand why any chief constable would put public perception before protecting police officers.'

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick, said the protective hoods should only be fitted to those in custody and not to suspects on the street (pictured Joshua Beadle, 2010, and UFC Fighter Jon Koppenhaver 2010)

Spit guards are used by around half of all forces in England and Wales but have been labelled 'cruel and degrading' by campaigners.

Sussex Police came under fire when officers used a spit hood on a disabled 11-year-old girl.

Proposals to introduce the masks in London two years ago were suspended after they were criticised by the mayor, Sadiq Khan.

Ken Marsh, of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said officers are regularly spat at and deserve to be protected.

However, Gracie Bradley, of the human rights group Liberty, said the decision was a 'step in the right direction' and claimed that the guards were 'degrading and dangerous'.