TRAFFIC wardens are being given DNA swab kits to help prosecute people who spit at them.

The equipment will be issued as part of a new crackdown on attacks and anti-social behaviour directed towards parking attendants.

The scheme is being introduced in Wirral, where this year there have been five reported incidents of physical assault on the wardens who patrol the borough. One of the incidents resulted in a court appearance and a fine, and the remaining four are still under investigation by the police.

NCP, the contractor that runs parking enforcement services in Wirral, says the new "spit kits" will mean offenders can be identified from samples of saliva and charged with assault.