Scottish police become latest in Britain to allow hijab

London's Metropolitan Police gave Muslim women on duty the option of wearing the hijab in 2001.

A string of other British forces – including in central and northern England where there are large Muslim communities – also allow the headscarf.

"Like many other employers, especially in the public sector, we are working towards ensuring our service is representative of the communities we serve," Police Scotland chief Phil Gormley said in a statement on Tuesday.

"I hope that this addition to our uniform options will contribute to making our staff mix more diverse," he added.

The Scottish Police Muslim Association [SPMA] welcomed the announcement.

"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," Fahad Bashir, chair of the SPMA said.

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

Scottish Police's diversity drive comes after recent statistics released earlier this year showed that only 127 of the 4,809 applications to join the force – 2.6 percent – were from people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

"Based on these figures, it is clear to see that challenge Police Scotland faces," the report said.

"If the black and minority ethnic groups [BME] national average of 4 per cent is to be met within the organisation, an additional 650 BME recruits are required across all areas of the business," it concluded.

Agencies contributed to this report