Police spend £1,400 on new logo

Chief Constable Med Hughes admitted his force was "under-funded" when he spoke of his pride at the results of a government inspection into the performance of the force, despite the funds available to him.

He said it was down to "good Yorkshire thrift" that his force was able to make improvements or remain stable in key performance areas.

Now the force has changed its logo, which was designed 10 years ago, to make it "bolder and clearer".

The 1,400 redesign, which is being rolled out "gradually", no longer features the 'Justice With Courage' motto.

A new, bolder typeface has been used to make South Yorkshire Police stand out and the number of colours used on the crest have been reduced to just two.

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One of the main reasons for the new logo is to create a better corporate identity after it emerged that different departments within the force were adapting the old one to fit their purpose rather than using the same standard design at all times.

A force spokesman said: "The existing force logo was developed more than 10 years ago and it has become apparent that it has limitations in how we need to use it. It is full colour, which means it is expensive to print and reproduce, the typeface is not clear from a distance and it is also not clear when reduced in size.

"In addition, we believed that the logo did not need a strapline to say what South Yorkshire Police is there for. The words South YorkshirePolice alone should be enough.

"Rather than completely change, we've updated the logo. It is in the same basic format but with a change in typeface that makes it bolderand clearer. We've produced it in two colours rather than full colour, which means it is much cheaper to print and reproduce, and it works much better when used on posters and other formats.

"We carried out research into a few options so we're confident it will be well-received by most people although we realise logos can divide opinion.

"The development of the updated logo cost us only 1,400 which we funded from savings and we're not changing everything overnight. Basically we will roll it out gradually, phasing out the old and bringing in the new with the usual replacement systems.

"So letterheads will change as stocks are used up and the same with badges, uniforms and other items so overall there will be no extra cost."

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