Metropolitan Police chiefs forced to order 8000 super-size uniforms over two years

Metropolitan Police chiefs have been forced to order some 8000 super-sized uniforms with waists up to 61ins, new figures have revealed.

Over the last two years, police have reportedly forked out for three 56ins pairs of trousers, while this year has seen the purchase of 624 trousers with waist sizes of at least 40ins.

According to figures obtained by The Sun, some 7,796 pairs of large trousers were purchased last year.

The surprise figures come after previous Metropolitan Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan Howe claimed in 2015 that overweight officers faced the sack.

‘They don’t want somebody waddling down the road who, when they get there, is out of breath’, he previously revealed.

The figures, obtained by a Freedom of Information request, also showed that three 50ins waterproofs were also purchased, alongside 44ins cycling trousers and a pair of 43ins combat trousers.

In 2014, annual fitness tests were made compulsory for police in England and Wales – with officers forced to perform runs of 525 metres within a period of 3 mins and 40 secs.

Tam Fry, the chief of the National Obesity Forum told The Sun: ‘At any time officers may be called on to perform exceptional duties. Chiefs should ensure they are fit for purpose and have the time and facilities to keep in shape.’

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson added: ‘All job-related fitness tests must be set to reflect the physical demands of the role.

‘Where officers fail, they are given development plans and support to help them meet the standard.’