Non smelly police

Police in India's western state of Gujarat will wear new uniforms impregnated with the fragrance of flowers and citrus to help improve their image.

A designer at the country's National Institute of Design, Somesh Singh, drew up the uniforms on request of the state government.

"Most policemen look hassled, drenched in sweat after coming from any scene of crime," he said.

"They are surely not the best person one would like to meet but if they smell good and fresh, one might as well approach them."

The uniforms, to be introduced in the next few months to the state's 300,000 police, use cotton with a fragrant finish, reflective prints and fibre-optic technology to make sure the uniform not only smells good but glows at night so officials can be located easily.

The uniforms will retain the scent even after washing as the fragrance is embedded in the cotton during processing.