Force denies £100,000 turban cost

A police force has denied spending £100,000 on trying to adapt safety helmets to fit over turbans.

West Midlands Police has also said reports that a Sikh officer was turned down from joining its Operational Support Unit over the issue is untrue.

It has said it is working to solve the headgear issue which is "problematic".

An officer has been working on projects to solve the problem but the figure quoted has been "grossly exaggerated", a statement said.

Protective gear

The statement, issued in response to newspaper reports, said: "No Sikh officer has applied and been turned down from joining the Operational Support Unit because of faith issues.

"However, it has been identified that for some members of the Sikh faith, the removal of the turban to wear a helmet and the wearing of a respirator could be problematic."

The statement goes on to say that the force is trying to find a solution "to what is a national issue".

"This work has formed part of a number of projects undertaken by an officer of constable rank over a period of 18 months," it said.

"The only costs involved are a proportion of that officer's salary. There has been no other outlay.

"The figure quoted in some media is therefore grossly exaggerated."

Network of Sikh Organisations director, Indarjit Singh, said an officer had approached him for advice over the issue earlier this year.

He said the officer was standing up for what he believed in and that he was going to do some research about wearing protective gear, with the blessing of West Midlands Police.

West Midlands Police said it could not clarify how much money was spent on the matter.