WE'VE often heard old timers mutter that policemen look younger than they used to, but isn't it really the case they look scruffier?

Once upon a time officers were given permission to remove their ties when the weather turned muggy.

Now it appears police forces across the country are adopting a casual look, with lightweight shoes, waterproof trousers and fleece body warmers commonplace alongside equipment such as anti-stab jackets.

The old-school garb may have made Jack Warner look neat as a pin in Dixon of Dock Green, but it was probably never very practical.

The ambulance service has long since binned ties and caps in favour of functional overalls.

Surely it can't be how long before the police ditch old-fashioned rig such as domed helmets and epaulettes, which pay lip service to the days when the local bobby had a whistle and rode a bicycle.

Why not kit out the West Mercia Police footsloggers with multi-purpose jumpsuits and military-style webbing in which to store CS and pepper sprays, a stun gun and telescopic baton?

That may not endear the constabulary to more traditionally-minded members of the public, who could regard the British copper as starting to resemble a Continental gendarme.

But given there are so few bobbies to be seen on Britain's streets in any case these days, would it really prove a problem?