Police told to avoid saying 'evenin' all'

Police have been urged to avoid using greetings such as "evening" and "afternoon", because the words are "somewhat subjective" and could cause confusion among those from different cultural backgrounds.

The official guidance means the salutation "evenin' all", which marked the start of each episode of Dixon of Dock Green, could be under threat.

The instructions form part of lengthy guidelines issued by police forces and fire services across the UK on what language their staff should use. Critics have accused the guides of "lacking common sense".



Other words now discouraged include, "businessman", "housewives" and "child", which the organisations argue have negative connotations and could cause offence.

Confusingly, staff are also barred from using the word "homosexual", for which they are instructed to use the term "gay", while they are warned against using the phrase "straight", and told to say "heterosexual".

The instructions have emerged in response to a Freedom of Information request to police forces and fire services about the guidance they give their staff on their use of language. One force urging caution over the use of "evening", is Warwickshire Police.

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