Scotland Yard made the move in response to criticism of policing at the G20 protests last April, where officers were filmed and photographed covering up their ID badges. One of whom was charged with assault on a member of the public.

In the fallout over the policing of protests, Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson warned that any officer caught deliberately obscuring his or her identification would be sacked.

However, the Metropolitan Police Authority, the force's governing body, said the move was "limited" in scope.

Officers also complained that the old metal ID's were easily knocked off.

Each new embroidered epaulettes will cost £22,000.

Members of the territorial support group, dog handlers and some borough officers will be among the officers who receive the new tags.


Limited, should be extended to all officers

Dee Doocey, a member of the MPA, called for the epaulettes to be given to all Met officers.

She said:

"Any officer not wearing their identification number while on duty is breaching the basic principle of the police being accountable to the public they serve.

This limited proposal must now be extended to cover every officer in the Met."

A Met spokesman said:

"All other officers are issued with two embroidered name badges that are interchangeable between garments.

We are in the process of ensuring that all officers have been re-issued with these where necessary."