Bobbies' wobbly helmets get cut down in size

The traditional helmet worn by most British police forces is to be replaced by a smaller version which will not "wobble" so much.

The 12in-high beat duty helmet, versions of which have appeared on British bobbies' heads for almost 150 years, will disappear and one three inches shorter will takes its place.

The new "squashed version" of the helmet is being brought in because senior officers say the current one is prone to fall off at moments of high drama such as detaining suspects.

Assistant Chief Constable Barry Taylor, of Dyfed Powys police in Wales, who is also head of the National Uniform and Equipment Group, said: "The traditional helmet falls off, gets in the way, and is a damn nuisance. It wobbles unless you keep your head still.

"The new helmet will have a lower centre of gravity. It is basically the same shape but will be shorter by two to three inches and provide more protection for officers."

The new scaled-down model will be a shorter, tougher version of the "Dixon of Dock Green" model, and will be tested along with new versions of the traditional woman officer's bowler hat, and a "reinforced baseball cap" to be worn by specialist police units.

It is being manufactured and will be issued to officers next year after trials this summer and autumn.

The national Police Scientific and Development branch has drawn up the new helmet design and manufacturers are now working to produce prototype models after the Home Office carried out a risk assessment review of head and neck injuries suffered by police officers.

Brian Burdis, an officer who representsthe Police Federation on the Uniform and Equipment Group, said it was important that any new helmet fitted with health and safety regulations.

The traditional helmet, which was introduced by the Metropolitan Police in 1863 to replace the Peelers' top hats, will be retained for officers on duty at state occasions and also those who stand at the door of No10 Downing Street.

"The traditional helmet is an icon image of the British police throughout the world and we need to be careful not to lose that completely," said Mr Taylor.