REPORTS that prisoners will receive their Covid-19 vaccinations before those in policing has been described as an "injustice and betrayal" by the chair of the Dorset Police Federation.

The Joint Committe on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has said teachers, police and other key workers should not get priority for Covid jabs but prisoners can be vaccinated en masse, according to The Times.

Anna Harvey, chair of Dorset Police Federation, said: “I am stunned at the latest news that convicted criminals will receive the Covid-19 vaccine, before our members.

“Officers across the country have been assaulted, hospitalised and have sadly lost their lives during the pandemic and now we have a situation whereby someone who has been convicted of offences against our colleagues will actually receive the vaccine before them.

“It’s such an injustice and betrayal by the JCVI and the Government.

“This will have a massive impact on morale at a time when we need to show our officers support and praise for all they have achieved over the last 12 months.”

The Police Federation says the current position means someone jailed for coughing or spitting at a police officer could get a vaccination before the police officer they assaulted.

Ms Harvey added: “I know that members of the public feel the same - they can’t understand this decision. The Government has relied on key workers to keep the country going and they now that are being treated as second class citizens. What message does this send out to the many people considering a career in Policing?”

Earlier this month, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told police officers they will have to wait their turn to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Despite lobbying from the Police Federation, chief police officers, the Met Commissioner and the College of Policing over police officers needing to have a level of priority for the vaccine to keep themselves, their families and the public safe, Mr Hancock said officers will not be prioritised until after groups 1-9, as deemed by the JCVI.

Officers who fall into the first nine groups, via age or with underlying health conditions for example, will receive the vaccine as part of the current rollout.