A POLICE force is being told to make its PCs more PC (politically correct).

Northumbria Police chiefs were stunned when Government inspectors suggested they change the colour of officers' shirts and alter the identification numbers given to female officers.

The plan was devised to avoid discrimination against women officers and lower ranks.

At present, Northumbria's constables and sergeants wear blue shirts, while white shirts are worn by those at inspector rank and above.

Women officers have the number eight as a prefix to the identification number worn on the shoulder of their uniform.

The force is now considering scrapping parts of the uniform, and Chief Constable Crispian Strachan is in discussions about the plan.

Sources said switching police identification numbers would mean an overhaul of the computer system that could take four years. An insider said: "It's a vast waste of public resources that could be better spent in other ways."

Jarrow Labour MP Stephen Hepburn said: "This is a case of political correctness gone mad. I am sure the cost involved in changing the force's number system could be better spent elsewhere."

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "This is a proposal that is still being considered and we are not in a position to discuss it at this stage.