An Italian police union has objected to officers being given pink coronavirus masks, warning they do not go with their uniforms and “risk damaging the institution's image”, reports AFP.

In a letter to the national chief of police, published online, the head of the SAP union urged action against what he called the “perplexing” choice of colour of the FFP2 masks.

Stefano Paoloni said police managers must “preserve the decorum of their officers, ensuring they are not ordered to carry out institutional activities with protective devices (masks) in a colour that is eccentric to the uniform and risks damaging the image of the institution”.

He suggested other colours such as white, blue or black would be suitable, to go with a uniform that is largely blue.