Uniform that's ill-fitting and badly designed is causing real pain, say police

Back pain, crushed testicles and breast lumps are among health problems police officers suffer because of ill-fitting, low-quality uniforms.

- Amelia Hill

Officers responding to the first national uniform and equipment survey reported symptoms so severe that some had to have surgery.

Others said criminals warned them their body armour left vital areas exposed and even acted as a "guide" to where they could be stabbed.

Belinda Goodwin, who now works for the Police Federation, had two operations to remove fistulas from her breasts which she said were caused by ill-fitting body armour.

Goodwin said: "We had one model and size of stab vest for both men and women, and we had to wear them eight to 10 hours a day. The pressure for women on our breasts was intense... Being unable to adjust them for hours on end when wearing them in a public-facing role was torture.

"After my second operation, the consultant told me that they couldn't operate again... I had no choice but to leave frontline policing entirely."