Information of the markings on TSG helmets

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.023219

I note you seek access to the following information:

I was wondering if you could provide me with the following;

1. What do the red shaped markings mean on a TSG NATO Helmet?

2. Does each unit have its own special marking such as TSG units in different areas of London?

3. Could you provide design/examples of these markings?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - What do the red shaped markings mean on a TSG NATO Helmet?

MPS policy is that officers should be readily identifiable when carrying out public order duties, and to assist this when they are deployed in personal protective equipment there are markings placed on NATO helmets. This includes the last four figures of their warrant numbers, a reference to which Borough or Pan London command they belong to, and reference to their rank where appropriate. In addition some officers with specialist skills would have relevant markings on their NATO helmet, for example Public Order Medics.

Historically, a small number of TSG units would place markings on their helmet to assist with identification within a public order situation. This was because it was sometimes difficult to distinguish between officers from different units within the same command when deployed within a public order operation. However, this is not an authorised practice.

Q2 - Does each unit have its own special marking such as TSG units in different areas of London?

TSG units have markings to reflect which Base and unit they are attached to e.g. ‘U21’ refers to 1 Unit based at TSG2 based in North West London, ‘U53’ refers to 3 Unit based at TSG5 in South West London. A small number of units have in the past used unauthorised markings on helmet, but when this has taken place it has been related to the unit involved and did not reflect different areas of London.

Q3 - Could you provide design/examples of these markings?

There are no designs or examples available as these were not authorised or produced by the MPS.