Fury erupts after police forces spend £1m on 'obese' uniforms, including Met trousers with 60-inch waists

Forces ordered 282 XXXXL vests in just two years, each big enough for a 68-inch chest. Cumbria Police alone bought 731 bespoke body armour sets; across the country, the total of custom-made vests reached at least 1,089. The Metropolitan Police had patrol trousers specially made in 56R and 60R sizes. Freedom of Information requests exposed the full bill.

Lincolnshire Police spent almost £90,000 on 149 oversized body armour sets alone.

Hampshire Police paid £46,955.60 for 41 sets of oversized kit.