The London Metropolitan Police are investigating reports that a teenager almost died after police used a spit hood on him during an arrest.

The 15 year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was released from hospital two weeks ago.

Tasnim Ali filed this report.

A Spit hood is a restraint device intended to prevent someone from spitting at or biting the police.

The teenager was fitted with one when police arrested him on suspicion of making prank calls on police emergency numbers.

He told Flash FM News that the mask put his life at serious risk.

CUE IN: I was very uncomfortable.CUE OUT: … know how I mean?

But Police officer Matt Selby says sometimes the spit hood is the only protection the police have.

CUE IN: I have been spat at…CUE OUT: … head and neck

Spit hoods have been used on 93 youths under the age of 18 in the last five years. There have been previous calls for them to be banned.

Whatever the outcome of the investigation into this case is, this fresh incident is sure to restart the debate about the safety of spit hoods.

This is Tasnim Ali reporting for Flash FM News.