Bus drivers to get DNA spit kits

Seventeen bus drivers were victims of spitting attacks last year

Bus and tram staff in Nottingham are being given spittle collection kits to help prevent them being assaulted by abusive passengers.

The kits will be available to hundreds of drivers and conductors on all Nottingham City Transport and trams.

Mick Conroy, Unite union spokesman, said: "We have had one driver who was spat at in his face and he developed a serious eye condition."

The DNA obtained from the samples can be used in court.

Latex gloves

The kits will include sterilised swabs, latex gloves and evidence bags.

The saliva will be passed to staff at Nottinghamshire police's forensic labs, who will obtain the DNA.

Mr Conroy said: "Spitting is one of the most degrading and horrible things that can happen to drivers."

Last year, there were eight spitting incidents on trams and 17 on city buses - a reduction from 42 in 2005.

The reduction is partly due to installation of protective glass screens in driver's compartments, the city council said.

The collection kits are being distributed to all 320 city transport buses and the city's 15 trams.