DANIEL Dyer's point that the police hat is an important part of the uniform is well made (Letters, November 6).

I agree that it is now out of step with the awful paramilitary-style uniform of cargo pants and those short-sleeved tops that would look more in place on a cyclist in the Tour de France. My solution, however, would be a return to the blue shirt (without tie) of yesteryear and thus save the familiar black and white chequered cap that has been synonymous with the police service for so many years. The long-sleeved shirt would also have saved me from a recent sighting (in Edinburgh's Royal Mile) of two officers whose bare arms were almost black with what I considered menacing tattoos.

David G Will,

24 Cauldstream Place, Milngavie.