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West Yorkshire Police Say Goodbye To The Iconic Police Hat

With over 5,000 police officers, West Yorkshire has one of the largest police forces in England and it’s in this county that the traditional police helmet has stood the test of time for over 150 years. But the Metropolitan Police is a modern, progressive and forward-thinking organisation and after being perhaps the most recognisable and iconic part of a policeman’s uniform for so long, it’s out with the old and in with the new, as the traditional Victorian-style hard-hat has finally been retired to be replaced with a more practical, light-weight peak cap.

More appropriate and functional for a modern police force, the new peak cap is particularly striking thanks to the black and white diced-check lace that wraps around the cap above the peak. A lace that is made in-house here at Wyedean and sold in a variety of colours and styles. Click here to view our selection of diced-check cap bands.

The original helmet, however, remains a proud symbol of British policing and is instantly recognisable the world over. Therefore, this item of police headgear, also known as the “custodian”, will still be kept for infrequent use, particularly on ceremonial occasions.