Male police officers are complaining their ill-fitting trousers are so tight their manhoods are at risk of being crushed.
The arresting uniform has been narrowly cut in such a way that there is barely room to swing a baton, they say.
Women officers meanwhile are unhappy about the lack of space given ‘between waist and the crotch’.
The damning verdicts on their official issued uniform came about as part of the first ever police uniform and equipment survey run by Lancaster University and the Police Federation.
In July, more than 200,000 police officers and staff were invited to give their views as part of a new national initiative.
Lancaster University Law School researchers Dr Camilla De Camargo and Dr Stephanie Wallace spearheaded the survey to understand key issues and areas needing improvement.
In a press statement, they said: ‘This is an exciting opportunity for those wearing uniforms to voice their concerns and influence changes in uniform policies.’
Dr De Camargo had previously written a doctoral thesis which found police uniforms and stab vests were traditionally designed by men, for men and tailored to masculine body shapes, which was impacting female officers’ performance, health and safety, morale and psychological wellbeing.
However, the current designed trousers appear to be having a similar negative effect on policemen.
Belinda Goodwin, national board member and wellbeing lead for the police union, told The Sun: ‘During a survey, Gwent police male officers complained of experiencing crushed testicles.
‘All of this plays into how officers and staff feel on the job and that cannot be understated.’
But Benjamin Elk of the Taxpayers’ Alliance dismissed the survey as a ‘farce’ and ‘distraction’ to officers fighting crime.
He said: ‘Police forces should cut out waste and put bobbies on the beat.’
In 2021 it was reported that the Metropolitan Police – Britain’s biggest force – was considering plans to introduce gender-neutral uniforms.
has contacted Gwent Police for comment.