A school could help restore the reputation of the notorious hooded top after making it part of its uniform.

Richard Haigh, principal of Coombeshead College, Newton Abbot, Devon, has criticised “hysterical” stereotyping of ‘hoodie’ wearers as thugs.

Bluewater shopping centre, Greenhithe, Kent, last week banned hooded tops.

[Mr Haigh] added: “If you know how young people’s minds work, the best way of encouraging them to do something is to ban it.

“The more fuss we make about hoodies and baseball caps, the more a certain type of young person will want to wear them.”

In a letter that he described as “tongue in cheek” to the Times on Wednesday, Mr Haigh wrote: “I am disappointed by the lack of subtlety in dealing with the hoodie problem.

“Follow our example and make them part of school uniform. How uncool does that make them?”

Well said sir!

BBC NEWS | England | Devon | School adopts ‘hoodie’ as uniform