DNA 'spit kits' for taxi drivers to fight abuse

TAXI drivers are set to be issued with DNA testing kits to tackle abuse by customers.

- By Jaymi McCann

Spit kits, which are already used by the emergency services, would be used to collect evidence for prosecutions after assaults.

Industry experts say drivers being abused by passengers has become a huge problem so they are urgently needed.

The kits usually contain a sterile swab, gloves, a collection tube or container and documentation for recording any attack.

The fluid is sealed in a container and then sent for analysis, usually being matched against national databases.