Reading between the lines . . . custodian helmet on its way back?

The classic custodian helmet may be heading for a comeback.

At least one force is taking its reintroduction to a “consultation” process.

The headgear favoured by television’s most famous officer – actor Jack Warner in Dixon of Dock Green – was scrapped by Thames Valley Police (TVP) nearly a decade ago.

But Thames Valley police and crime commissioner Anthony Stansfeld says it could be brought back into use in Reading town centre on a trial basis — suggesting that shorter officers in modern peaked caps were not always visible to the public.

Mr Stansfeld said: “It’s a daytime thing, people don’t see the police very often I think.

“The officers are no longer all six foot, we have brains as well as brawn these days.

“I think it would be a good move but that is a personal view and we will do a consultation on it.”

No estimate of cost has been revealed for its possible revival but Reading Borough Council deputy leader Tony Page – on the local authority for the last 43 years – has given it his backing.

Councillor Page said: “On the helmets’ proposal, we would be up for working with the police on trialling a helmet initiative in the town.”

In 2009 TVP officers switched from traditional uniforms to black combat trousers and polo shirts, although a plan to introduce baseball caps was scrapped. West Yorkshire Police ended the use of traditional helmets last year, arguing that peaked caps were less likely to fall off and could be worn in a car.

The custodian helmet, which replaced the top hat formerly in use, was first used by the Metropolitan Police Service 150 years ago. Originally made of cork and covered by felt or serge, it was based on the spiked Pickelhaube headgear worn by the Prussian army.

It helped protect the modesty of Michael O’Brien, who streaked at Twickenham rugby football ground in 1974.

The equivalent for female officers is a “bowler” hat, which still affords the same protection as the male custodian.

FACTLINE ON CUSTODIAN HELMET:

1863: First adopted by the Metropolitan Police Service to replace the ‘stovepipe’ top hat worn since 1829. Traditionally worn by male police constables and sergeants while on foot patrol in England and Wales.

The helmet had an upturned brim at the front and a raised spine at the back, running from the bottom to the top, which became known as the `cockscomb`.

The term `custodian` originated as a specific make of helmet used in Britain in the late-twentieth century. Because of this, `custodian` was never an official or unofficial name for similar helmets worn in other parts of the Commonwealth.

As well as in the UK, other forces currently using the custodian helmet include the States of Jersey Police, States of Guernsey Police Service, Isle of Man Constabulary, Royal Gibraltar Police, and Bermuda Police.

Of the 43 Home Office territorial forces in England and Wales, 20 currently use the comb style, 18 use the rosetop style, and four use the ball style. Some forces wore spikes on top of the helmet, although these have now been phased out.

Helmets are no longer worn by police officers in Scotland, but may be seen worn by uniformed Metropolitan Police officers when on Royal duties in Scotland. They ceased to be worn in Northern Ireland after the 1920s, except for night patrol work in Belfast and Londonderry until the early 1960s.

In 2002, attempts were made by police forces in England to replace the custodian helmet with a more suitable alternative. Some forces adopted baseball-caps for a very short time and almost all reverted to the helmet or peaked cap.