TWO Dorset Police officers have contracted Covid-19 just days after policing a high-profile anti-lockdown rally in Bournemouth.

The man and woman, both PCs, are now self-isolating at home with their families.

They became ill after policing a rally on Saturday January 9.

And now the Dorset Police Federation has urged the government to prioritise the vaccination of frontline officers.

A spokesman said: "The sickness suffered by these two officers is a stark reminder of the dangers coronavirus poses to frontline officers."

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One of the officers, who asked not to be named, said he has been unable to get out of bed while his wife cannot go to work.

The 40-year-old said he is worried who he may have passed the virus on to and said his family cannot leave the ouse.

The female officer, 34, said: "We’ve all got things we’ve got to get on and do in life. I’ve got a son who should be going to school when I’m at work.

"He’s going to have to keep a distance from me because I don’t want him to get it. He’s had to be tested which wasn’t very nice for him.

"My other half has now got to have time off work as well.

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"We’ve been trying to limit who we’re working with, so we’re staying with the same person, but he’s now got it as well, so that’s his family and my family all isolating.

"We’ve not been offered any vaccines, and ultimately we are frontline officers going out there every day to different jobs, seeing different people and we don’t have any protection."

Her colleague said officers are not asking to jump the vaccine queue ahead of vulnerable groups but that the dangers they are being exposed to every day have a real impact on shifts.

"Police officers shouldn’t be the first in line for the vaccine and we know the risks of our job.

"If a call comes in, we have to go to it. We can’t say we won’t go to it. We are putting ourselves, and our families at risk, every single day.

"We don’t know at jobs if the people we are dealing with are taking the same precautions that we are. Most of the people we attend to don’t have face masks.

"With myself and my colleague off for the next 10 days, our shift is short so that puts the other officers at risk.

"I’ve never felt as ill as I have. I’m worried about if this will get any worse or when it’s going to end."

Dorset Police Federation Chair Anna Harvey said: "Police officers can’t distance from the public on duty. These are prime examples of why it's so important that officers and frontline staff receive this vaccine as a matter of urgency."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We can confirm that two officers who were part of the policing operation for the planned protest activity in Bournemouth town centre on Saturday January 9 have contracted COVID-19.

"These officers were involved in directly engaging with members of the protest group and in the arrests that were made on the day."

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, Gold Commander for the policing operation, said: "We wish these officers a speedy recovery and the Force issues their best wishes to them and all their colleagues who have tested positive for COVID-19.

"While the officers’ infection could not be directly linked to what happened, it puts into perspective the dangerous nature of policing.

"Our officers and staff have remained on the frontline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, putting themselves in harm’s way to engage with our communities, protect the vulnerable, enforce COVID-19 regulations and tackle crime.

"We are incredibly proud of them and we will continue to do all we can to protect them."