New police trousers are shooting law enforcement in the foot, according to officers trying them out on the beat.

Some North Yorkshire officers have described the feel of the trousers, which have an internal waterproof lining, as like wearing a nappy. Others say the rustling noise they make has made them the butt of jokes. PC Paul Hopson, of York police, is one of the 20 North Yorkshire officers taking part in the style trial. He says he has not met anyone with a good word to say about the trousers, although he thinks the rest of the uniform is an improvement on the old-style tunic jackets.

"I only had my waterproof trousers on for an hour - but that was enough," said PC Hopson.

"The damage was done - my colleagues at the station nicknamed me Russell because of the noise they made.

"It was like two crisp packets rubbing together. Worst of all they were really hot and your legs sweated in them all the time. I only wore them once and never put them on again."

A spokeswoman for the Association of Chief Police Officers, which is assessing the uniform trials, said officers' comments had been passed back to the manufacturers.

"I haven't worn a pair of the trousers myself so I can't say if they rustle or not," she said.

"Most officers have been fairly happy with the uniform, but there are probably a few adjustments that can be made.

"We have passed all the opinions on the design to the manufacturers and they will see if some tweaking is needed."

PC Hodson says he was impressed with the rest of the uniform, which includes a fleece and a blouson jacket.

He says the garments make it easier for officers to get their hands on all the equipment they carry, including CS sprays and rigid handcuffs.

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