THE hijab has become an optional part of the Police Scotland uniform as the force tries to encourage Muslim women to join the force.

Previously officers could wear the religious headscarf with approval but it is now formally part of the police uniform.

1 Police Scotland has made the hijab an official part of the uniform Credit: INS News Group

Police Scotland said it is working to make the force "representative of the communities we serve".

Chief Constable Phil Gormley said: "I am delighted to make this announcement and welcome the support from both the Muslim community, and the wider community, as well as police officers and staff.

"Like many other employers, especially in the public sector, we are working towards ensuring our service is representative of the communities we serve.

"I hope that this addition to our uniform options will contribute to making our staff mix more diverse and adds to the life skills, experiences and personal qualities that our officers and staff bring to policing the communities of Scotland."

A report earlier this year showed just 2.6 per cent of applicants to join Police Scotland were from ethnic minorities.

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The force aims to recruit an extra 650 officers from minority backgrounds but "considering current application trends, this would appear to be unachievable," it said.

Today's announcement was welcomed by the Scottish Police Muslim Association, an organisation set up in 2010 to build closer ties with Muslim communities.

SPMA chairman Fahad Bashir said: "This is a positive step in the right direction, and I am delighted that Police Scotland is taking productive steps in order to ensure that our organisation is seen to be inclusive and represents the diverse communities that we serve across Scotland.

"No doubt this will encourage more women from Muslim and minority ethnic backgrounds to join Police Scotland."

The Metropolitan Police in London approved the hijab as part of its uniform more than a decade ago.