NHS nurse, 28, reveals she was spat at and branded a 'virus spreader' in Lidl car park as prosecutors warn emergency workers face a daily barrage of attacks under lockdown

An NHS nurse has revealed she was spat at and branded a 'virus spreader' by a vile thug amid increasing number of attacks on healthcare workers on the frontline of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Care manager Amy Hall, 28, was wearing her uniform when she was targeted by a member of the public in a Lidl car park in Waterlooville, Hampshire.

A 'middle-aged man' approached her and shouted the disgusting abuse before attempting to spit on her as she walked towards the shop.

Amy Hall revealed she was in her uniform when she was spat at and branded a 'virus spreader'

Ms Hall, who provides vital care to elderly and vulnerable people at Verina Daly Care, was only out shopping for Mother's Day flowers for her mum and was left shocked and upset by the incident - as were onlookers with witnesses confronting the thug.

The despicable attack comes as the Director of Public Prosecutions warned of a concerning daily-trend of healthcare and emergency workers being deliberately coughed or spat at or verbally abused during the lockdown.

Recalling the attack against her, which happened on March 21, Ms Hall said: 'It was an adult who said "you're a virus spreader" and I kind of said 'you will spread the virus'.

'Quite a few people stood up for me outside. Everyone let me get to the front of the queue.

'It was quite surreal. I can't believe that some people have got that view about us.

'I was on my way to buy my mum a bunch of flowers I could leave on her doorstep for her on Mother's Day. It was shocking.

'We're obviously trying to help our elderly to get through this difficult time and don't appreciate being spat at.'

The coronavirus crisis has triggered a surge in attacks on doctors and nurses with some even reporting that they have been spat at after 10-hour shifts.

There have also been a worrying number of reports in recent days of paramedics, police officers and supermarket staff receiving abuse. 

Earlier this week, shocking footage emerged online showing two boys threatening Asda employees outside the store in Gosport with one saying: 'I'll cut you up,' before being forced to apologise.

Overall crime has plummeted during the coronavirus-enforced lockdown, but reports of anti-social behaviour in the last four weeks have spiked with new figures revealing they are 59 per cent higher than the same period last year.

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said 178,000 incidents were reported across England and Wales.