Thousands of Met Police officers were 'undeployable' due to health issues

They are known as the thin blue line – but many police officers are anything but and need XXL-size uniforms to do their jobs.

Figures show in the past year forces have ordered thousands of trousers with waistbands of 40in or more – with some up to 56in.

Many of the uniforms are labelled ‘patrol’ or ‘operational’, so are intended for Bobbies on the beat.

The NHS says men with a waist size of more than 37in and women more than 31.5in are more likely to have obesity-related problems.

Last month, Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley said ‘a big proportion’ of his officers were ‘not properly deployable’ due to health and performance issues.

Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: ‘Everyone serving in an emergency service should be fit for purpose. Enlightened commanders who want to keep their staff will send them on a weight management course.’

Freedom of Information requests by The Mail on Sunday show the Met ordered 7,343 trousers with waistbands of 40in or more in the past year, even going up to 56in. Greater Manchester Police ordered 837 trousers with 40in- plus waists, including 185 for female officers.

Across West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Humberside forces, 1,320 trousers with a waistband of 40in or more were ordered.

Devon and Cornwall Police ordered 330 pairs of 40in or more, while Avon and Somerset Police ordered 245 with waists of 40in or above, including 12 pairs for officers with waists of more than 50in.

Cumbria Police ordered 91 pairs with waists of 40in or above, with the top size at 48in.

Dorset ordered 65 pairs of trousers with a 40in-plus waistband.

Annual fitness tests became compulsory for police in England and Wales in 2014. Officers who need to restrain suspects face shuttle run tests totalling 525 metres to be completed in 3 minutes 35 seconds.

Officers who fail on a third attempt will then face disciplinary action.