BLUES & TATTOOS

Cops bid to lift face inking ban

POLICE officers with face tattoos could soon be on the beat after a union called for a ban on visible inkings to be lifted.

Many forces do not recruit people whose tattoos can be seen, saying they damage the police’s reputation and send out the wrong message.

But the Police Federation, which represents 120,000 bobbies, says the rule is out of touch with modern Britain.

It also fears talented potential officers are being turned away when recruitment is at a “challenging point”.

Many former servicemen have visible tattoos and so are

banned from joining most forces,ideal candidates.despite being seen as

Victoria Martin of the Police Federation said: “The Home Office guidance published in 2011 appears to be being interpreted in different ways by the 43 forces.

Relaxed

“Some forces have blanket bans on visible tattoos, while others tend to look at each case on its merits but we think it is time for a rethink of the overall policy.”

Three-quarters of serving officers would like to see a more open approach, according to the union.

In 2012, Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe launched a crackdown on inkings when he said: “All visible tattoos damage the professional image of the Met Police.”

He added that face, neck and hand tattoos would not be permitted.

Other forces including Northumbria, Merseyside and West Yorkshire have similar policies but Greater Manchester and Kent are more relaxed.

Different rules between forces make it difficult for tattooed officers to transfer.

A spokesman for the College of Policing said there were no immediate plans to rethink the policy.