Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner is calling for frontline police officers and staff, ambulance workers and firefighters to be given a higher priority for the Covid-19 vaccine.

David Munro said police officers in Surrey being deliberately coughed or spat at were "an unpleasant enough experience in normal circumstances" but the highly transmissible strain of the virus made it "now even more frightening".

He said the confrontational situations they face meant they did not always have the time to use full PPE equipment.

And the Surrey Police Federation is warning that officers and their sometimes vulnerable families are being put at risk just by the "increasing numbers who think that lockdown rules don't apply to them".

The staff association, which represents police constables, sergeants and inspectors, is urging the public to "take personal responsibility and do the right thing", or "expect to be dealt with".

Officers 'risking their own safety'.

Chair Mel Warnes said: "Police officers are constantly risking their own safety every day attending calls and having close contact with the public. Those that are breaching lockdown rules increase the contact for no good reason. "Throughout the pandemic officers are risking taking home the virus to family members, some of whom are vulnerable. Some have taken measures to live elsewhere, but that can't and shouldn't be a long-term arrangement. "There are, of course, a small number who make a genuine mistake and once engaged do the right thing. However, there are increasing numbers who think that lockdown rules don't apply to them. "Police officers being vaccinated – after the most vulnerable in the country have received theirs – will go a long way to alleviate any further risk or worries to officers and their families." Mr Munro suggested policing should be provided with its own vaccination stock, which could then be administered by force occupational health departments. "This would mean that vital spaces in vaccination centres would not be taken up but that those on the frontline can get the protection they need," he said. "I must make it clear that I fully support prioritisation for the vulnerable based on clinical need and would not want anything to distract from that. "But I do believe that those first responders who are interacting with the public on a daily basis should be given the protection they deserve." Vaccinate elderly first, says chief constable.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said he would rather see his parents get the jab first.

"We absolutely support the most vulnerable getting the vaccine first, that's what we'd all want to see," he said. "I'd much rather see my parents getting vaccinated before me.

"So those that are vulnerable and at risk of serious injury or death should get vaccinated first without a doubt.

"But there is a case to be made about resilience for public services. In order for us to keep other people safe, then we need to stay fit and healthy too."

Ms Warnes warned that due to the virus policing is "already stretched", with officers unable to "respond to all reports of one-off incidents".

A staffing shortage caused Staines custody centre to close for 12 days during the Christmas period, meaning staff had to travel further for work and to transport prisoners.

Surrey Police also had to ask for assistance from Hampshire colleagues during one shift at the end of December, as so many call handlers were off sick or self-isolating.

The Department for Health and Social Care was contacted but did not respond.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that first priorities should be preventing death, and protecting the health and social care staff and systems.

Secondary priorities "could include vaccination of those at increased risk of hospitalisation and at increased risk of exposure, and to maintain resilience in essential public services".