Soldiers allowed to wear regimental head gear

Army Relaxes Security in Ulster

The Army has announced that troops will replace their hard helmets with regimental head dress when they are out on the streets.

The operational policy decision had been taken "in the light of the current assessment of the threat to the security forces following the declaration of the IRA ceasefire on July 20", said a spokesman.

Security measures eased

Local Army commanders will retain the discretion to order soldiers to wear helmets for their personal protection during particular operational tasks.

The first sign of the reduced precautions came today when members of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, proudly donned their traditional Tam O'Shanters when they went out on patrol in west Belfast with police.

A similar move was made in the wake of the IRA's 1994 ceasefire, but had to be quickly reversed when the terrorists resumed their campaign 17 months later.

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