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POLICE Scotland is set to introduce a hijab as part of its uniform in an effort to encourage more Muslim women to join the force .

In a briefing to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), Police Scotland said it would need to recruit an additional 650 ethnic minority employees to reflect the number of those from black and Asian backgrounds in society as a whole.

Figures show there were just 127 applications from black and Asian candidates in 2015/16.

It is thought a suitable headscarf has been tested and will now be presented for consideration.

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Peter Blair, head of resource management at the force, said: “Police Scotland is committed to working with communities to encourage under-represented groups to consider policing as a career.

“Part of this involves removing unnecessary barriers, which include considerations about the officers’ uniform.

"As a result, work has been undertaken to source a uniform hijab. Such a hijab is worn by many officers in police forces in England and across the world and Police Scotland is keen to replicate this good practice.”