POLICE in Wiltshire are among the first in the country to try out new-style helmets. The force is one of three, along with Greater Manchester and Dyfed Powys, chosen to trial the new design.
Barry Taylor, from the Association of Police Chief Officers, said: "The new helmet has evolved as part of the development of the national specification for a police uniform. This latest helmet, while remaining traditional in its appearance and symbolic to the British Police Service, will offer better protection, wearability and comfort for officers."
The new helmets, based on the style of riding hats, are shorter and offer more protection around the face and the side of the head. There have been problems with the old-style hats falling off if officers were running.
Research done prior to the new helmet being designed also found that one in eight officers suffer from a head injury each year, with 53 per cent of those injuries occurring to the face and scalp area. Police officers in Trow-bridge, Warminster, Melksham, Chippenham and Corsham are among 30 Wiltshire officers taking part in the initial three-month trial of the new headgear, which could be widened to two further forces from May.
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