PSA: Please stop with the helmet straps!

This is something I’m seeing more and more often, for some reason, in adverts and TV dramas, even the odd dark comedy (I’m looking at you, Inside No.9!)

So here is my impassioned and heartfelt plea to the costume team, crowd ADs, or anyone who is putting extras and actors in police uniform in front of a camera…

PLEASE NO HELMET STRAPS!

Police officers wearing helmets (or ‘bowlers’ if the officer is female) with the chin strap / restraints is an absolute clanger. It never happens. If an officer wore their helmet like this they’d get laughed at by the rest of the team, and a cake fine would definitely be in the offing.

The last time helmet straps were worn with any sort of regularity was in Dixon of Dock Green days - 1950s - and occasionally after that in riot situations, such as the miners’ strike in the 1980s. But no more.

This is the end of this Public Service Announcement :-)

If you’re making a drama which involves the police, and feel unsure about a detail of police uniform or equipment, get in touch!