Focus on British MP

As it happens (genuine coincidence) I've just been taking some photos of mine to flog on eBay! handcuffs aren't VAM (no idea what they are) but they looked the part.

her my wee kitbash

I was wondering that too mate as the few war films I watched had a white holster on a khaki belt while others had a white sam browne with white holster

nice pair of chaps mate

OR MAYBE A FRIDAY AFTERNOON SPECIAL 

fletch why the tears thats 2 impressive mp's

Here's my front liners version paired with a Gyperman MP scarf and arm band, and an ?earlier metal tabbed belt and truncheon. They really did a good job on the peak of the cap on the MP - very officious

One of my favourites and one of only four VAM I have left. Fletch yours look great and yours too Mike and great kitbash spoons and chaps Fax 😂

at least you still have the pics mark

Hello Daz

I’ve just read the ‘Focus On’ thread regarding the Action Man MP.

I appreciate that this is an old post, and I don’t know if you ever received an answer to your question regarding ‘why some (real) MP’s wear white belts and some others wear khaki belts’, or indeed whether the question is still relevant today.

In any case, I have taken the liberty of providing a simplified answer to your question which I hope will be of some help should the question arise again.
 
Historically the wearing of white belts and gaiters along with the Red Brassard on the Right Arm, and Red Cap cover denoted the Military Police Officer was on ‘official duty’ and emerged from a historic requirement to make military personnel engaged on official provost duty visible, and identifiable.

This practice has largely been discontinued in more modern times save for specific ceremonial occasions.

The use and purpose of the White Webbing Accoutrements has changed over time and is now generally only used for ceremonial purposes, or provost duties which are high profile or public facing.

General Duty Policing is now routinely undertaken in the standard issue camouflage / MTP uniform with High Visibility Jackets or Vests. Where required, black or green webbing is worn, and a holster in the same colour as the webbing may be carried should the duty require the Service Personnel to carry a side arm.

Some Police duties require the wearing of No.1 Blue or No.2 Khaki dress uniform, for the Army, or Blue Dress Uniform for The Royal Navy, or Airforce Blue Uniform, for the Royal Air Force.

On these occasions the Ceremonial White accoutrements may be worn if specified in ‘Orders’.

Another thing to note is that until recently when service regulations were ‘harmonised’, only the British Army MP’s wore the MP Brassard on their Right Arm.

Army Regimental Police (RP), Royal Navy Police, (Naval Regulating Branch) and Royal Air Force Police, all wore their specific Service Police Brassards on their Left Arm.  

This was a consequence of existent Military Regulations which stated only the Army‘s Military Police Personnel were authorised to wear the Police Brassard on their Right Arm, and made it a Service Offence of impersonating a Police Officer, by wearing a Police Brassard on the Right Arm, if you were not a member of the British Army’s Corp of Military Police.  

Other than Military Police, 

The British Armed Forces ‘Other Ranks’ Personnel (i.e. All Ranks other than Commissioned or Warrant Officers) generally wear White Accoutrements when engaged on Ceremonial duties.

Officers wear black or brown Sam Browne belts dependent upon Regiment or Corps. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Officers wear Coloured Fabric belts specific to their branch of service. 

Other Ranks Ceremonial items generally comprise White Waist Belt and Bayonet Frog, but may also include thing such as pouches gaiters / anklets, gauntlets etc. depending on the specific branch of service Army, Navy, Air Force, and the specific Regiment or Corps.

Two general exceptions are: 

Rifle Regiments (Light Infantry) All Ranks Wear Black Belts and Accoutrements with their Rifle Green Dress Uniforms.

Soldiers of the Household Division, The Guards Division, and The Royal Horse Artillery, Kings Troop, who wear Ceremonial uniforms which have their origins dating back to the 16th Century, and are significantly more elaborate than the standard dress uniform worn by other branches of Britains Armed Forces.

I have very much simplified the various regulations covering this topic, as they are complex, and have varied historically over time, dependent upon specific duty requirements, and operational environments.

As always, there will be occasions where there have been exceptions to the normal practice.

I hope this helps

Dave