London police diversify mascots

LONDON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Scotland Yard has begun a $30,000 program in London to add a team of ethnically diverse mascots to supplement Steve, the police's current white male mascot.

Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said in a letter to the London Assembly the majority of the money is being spent on uniforms for the mascots -- with giant helmets for their foam heads being the most costly item, The Times of London reported Tuesday.

Complaints about Steve, who was based on an actual member of a Safer Neighborhood team in London, came to light in September when a police officer -- identified as Sergeant Wright -- wrote about him in the police magazine, The Job.

"An Asian member of our team agreed to be Steve," the sergeant said. "He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and because the character would not have dark-skinned arms it became apparent that the officer would not be able to perform the role. Female team members also felt isolated."

However, some have objected to the diversification program.

Richard Barnes, a Conservative member of the London Assembly, said the police should have more important things to do.

"Are they serious? There are so many issues that are of greater importance than the gender of a giant foam doll," he said.