Police communications chiefs in Kent have stopped undercover coppers using theme tunes from cop shows as mobile phone ringing tones.

As part of Kent Constabulary's communications policy, undercover officers are forbidden from using tunes from The Bill, The Professionals, The Sweeney and Crimewatch on their mobiles.

The top cops also fear that criminals will nobble an undercover copper whose phone suddenly rings with a tune from Z-Cars.

Instead Network News suggests that the CID programs phones with ditties that fit into their undercover role. Cocaine by Eric Clapton, E's and Wiz by Pulp, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by the Beatles or I Shot the Sheriff by Bob Marley.