Beat police officers dismayed that 'ancient Victoriana' could replace traditional helmet

A squat, 1960s-style helmet, ridiculed as "a piece of ancient Victoriana", could soon be replacing the British policeman's traditional headgear.

Police chiefs seeking the next generation of helmets for their officers have seized upon the cork "custodian". It has been in use in Humberside for the past eight months.

Home Office scientists have been asked to test the helmet, which could replace the existing 12in-high (30cm) beat duty model, versions of which have graced British bobbies' heads for almost 150 years.

But the shortened version, which swaps the classic silver-capped crest on top for a cusp and ball, has already provoked the ire of beat officers. It has been criticised as having more in common with Dixon of Dock Green than the modern police service.

The Association of Chief Police Officers has been considering several alternatives to the existing domed helmet, which is considered too heavy and cumbersome and liable to cause neck injuries. They were looking at three alternatives, a squashed, more stable version of the existing helmet, a reinforced "bowler" worn by women and a toughened baseball cap for specialist units.

But these three have been sidelined for the "custodian", an updated version of the cork helmet. Humberside Police's Chief Constable, David Westwood, is a supporter of the new model, which uses tough composite materials that make it light and strong enough for patrol duties.

The diminutive helmet is being tested to ensure it fulfils health-and-safety regulations and, if it passes those, wider trials are expected to start later in the year.

But news of the decision to gain inspiration from the past has not been welcomed by all officers.

PC Martin Fox, a patrol officer with the Avon and Somerset force, writing to Police Review magazine, said he "groaned" when he saw that the old style cork helmet could be making a comeback.

"Is this the best that we can come up with? A piece of ancient Victoriana that looks out of place in the 21st century and should have been consigned to police museums and display cases along with tunics, truncheons and Dixon of Dock Green."

He continues: "I find the argument about members of the public preferring helmeted police to be laughable. Who are we trying to please. The tourists?

"I want to wear a uniform which is functional and smart. If that means a baseball cap, polo shirt and combat trousers then so be it. The current uniform with its helmet, shirt, tie and office trousers is anachronistic and unsuited for the dirty, dangerous job that I do."

Peaked caps have been adopted by several police forces – the traditional helmet was scrapped in Scotland in the 1950s and in Greater Manchester in 1996 – but the domed model, considered an iconic image, is still worn by most beat officers.