UK police are claiming that the new Tetra digital handsets are making them ill.

Nearly 200 officers involved in a pilot scheme in Lancashire and North Yorkshire have taken time off sick.

The coppers claim that the new Airwave radios induce migraines, sleeplessness and concentration problems.

The digital sets are due to be introduced nationwide by 2005 under a £2.9bn programme.

According to The Sun, the Home Office has agreed to carry out health checks.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We are taking a precautionary approach and have had advice from independent experts."

Steve Edwards, chairman of the Lancashire branch of the Police Federation, said: "It is worrying that so many officers believe they are suffering symptoms because of Airwave use.

"Nobody is saying these radios are unsafe, but we are being used as guinea pigs."

Some scientists are concerned that the handsets pulse at 17.6Hz, which is close to the 16Hz at which brain signals operate.

Alasdair Philips, of consumer group Powerwatch, said: "I believe that these new radios are dangerous. Previous studies have shown that Tetra-like pulses put brain cells under stress."