A woman was purposely coughed on whilst walking down the street in Bradford on Avon, just days after the Crown Prosecution Service said they would take coughing offences seriously.
It happened in Trowbridge Road, at the turning for Junction Road, at 10.20am this morning when two hooded men – travelling in a dark coloured car – stopped to cough on her before driving away laughing.
The woman – an off-duty social worker – is understood to have called 999 when it happened, but claims the call handlers would take her call, pointing her towards their non-emergency number.
She is said to have been left too shaken by the incident, which happened while she was walking her dogs, to take note of the car’s full registration plate but believes it began with a ‘H’.
Talking to Wiltshire 999s, the victim who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “They coughed at me. I got so scared. Then they started laughing their heads off and drove away.
“I was really shocked; I called 999 but they told me to call 101. I think they should have taken it more seriously as I explained the situation, but I think they have more important jobs at the moment.”
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said in a statement that they stand behind essential workers like social workers and will charge people for coughing on them wherever possible.
Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecutions said: “Let me be very clear: this is a crime and needs to stop. The CPS stands behind emergency and essential workers and will not hesitate to prosecute anybody who threatens them as they go about their vital duties.”
The news comes as police start to crack down on people driving for non-essential purposes.
Anyone with information relating to this incident should contact Wiltshire Police by calling 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
We’ve approached Wiltshire Police for comment.
