What is the origin of "the fuzz" (meaning police)?

Penny Rudd, Geneva Switzerland

• I'm afraid it's a rather rude reference to female generative organs.

  mike woods, putney uk

• If Mike's answer is correct, it brings a fascinating new meaning to the term 'caught by the fuzz'. Several fascinating new meanings, in fact.

  Rob Redman, Brighton UK

• nothing do with short & curlies then??

  Henry, amsterdam holland

• It's just the Feds, short for Federals

  annie, aberdour scotland

• I thought it was to do with their radio's, you know the sound they make when they are sending a message a sort of sqwaurk sound. makes sense to me!

  dan ryan, london UK