'Spit kits' for parking wardens

Parking attendants in Brighton and Hove are getting DNA-testing kits which could be used to help prosecute people who spit at them in the street.

The Spit Kits are being introduced as part of a new initiative by the city council, Sussex Police and National Car Parks (NCP).

It aims to tackle intimidation and assaults against parking attendants.

"They have the right to go about their business without being subjected to such attacks," a police spokesman said.

Street crime

Ch Supt Jeremy Paine added: "Parking attendants are vulnerable to assaults from frustrated drivers and those who have drunk too much."

The new Partnership Plus scheme will see police officers patrolling alongside parking attendants in certain areas of Brighton and Hove.

The attendants will in turn be encouraged to quickly report incidents of street crime and disorder, while also helping with the removal of abandoned or illegally-parked vehicles.

NCP's Ian Kavanagh said: "This will help us reduce the level of assaults and abuse our parking wardens receive while carrying out their duties.

"We hope that we will be able to give something back to the police by providing more formal support in terms of observing and recording street crime and disorder."