'Smiling' South Wales Police 'don't use spit hoods', PCC says

A third of UK police forces use hoods to prevent arrested people spitting or biting, the BBC has learned.

The mesh fabric spit hoods are used by 17 of the UK's 49 police forces, a Freedom of Information request found.

The hoods were used 249 times by North Wales Police since 2011, including on a 12-year-old girl.

South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael said his officers have not needed the hoods because they "smile" and "greet people" - although they would use them if necessary.