WEST YORKSHIRE – The West Yorkshire police force has become the first in the UK to offer an alternative modest uniform to female Muslim officers.

“For the last month we have been trialing a new uniform for women which is designed not to show the female form,” assistant chief constable Angela Williams told Daily Star on Monday, September 17.

“This was suggested by a Muslim female officer and was designed by our Clothing Manager in conjunction with the officer…

“This has been well-received from officers in the force and we have now made further supplies of this uniform for other officers to try it if they wish.”

Williams added that the new modest uniform was suggested to encourage Muslims to join the force.

“I hope this uniform will encourage people from underrepresented groups to consider a career in policing if they had previously been put off joining the force due to the uniform.

“We are open to suggestions from all communities on how our uniform can be styled to better suit their needs.”

Though many British police forces allow hijab as part of the uniform for Muslim officers, West Yorkshire force is the first to offer a special uniform for Muslims.

Chief Constable Dee Collins said for some women, concerns about the existing uniform’s design could be preventing them from signing up for the force.

“Is it a confidence issue? Is it a trust issue? Possibly around things as simple as uniform,” she said.

“We are absolutely all over this. I am absolutely determined we will continue to improve these figures.”