Police defend 'lettuce-head' e-fit

Police have defended the publication of an e-fit photograph of a burglary suspect with the wrong hair colour.

Hampshire Constabulary provided the image in relation to the alleged incident at a Nelson Close, Stockbridge home between 3pm and 4pm on August 27.

Despite the suspect being described as having "wavy blonde/greying hair", one resident of Stockbridge claimed that the picture as "like a bald man stood in front of an iceberg lettuce", Rex Features reports.

According to PA, a police spokeswoman said: "We make every effort to ensure that the e-fits we circulate are as accurate and detailed as they possibly can be from the description provided by the witness.

"This is borne out by the quality and detail contained within the facial features. We are, though, currently experiencing technical problems with the quality of the hair and are waiting for an upgrade to the system from the company who provides us with the software."

She added: "While the hair on this image may not be of the best quality, it takes nothing from the overall clarity of the facial features. It would therefore be wrong to withhold the release of the e-fit just based on this technical issue.

"We would never release an e-fit a victim disagreed or was unhappy with and in this instance the victim fully supported the publication of this image."