ALMOST 30 police officers across Lancashire have failed fitness tests since they became compulsory, figures have revealed.

More than three per cent of the 889 officers who have undergone testing since the autumn have failed to make the grade.

In total 29 officers, of whom 15 were female, failed the tests.

Compulsory fitness testing was introduced last September, and for the first year officers who fail will not face any punitive measures.

From September this year, those who fail three times will face disciplinary action. The figures were obtained through a freedom of information request to 27 constabularies in England and Wales by the Press Association.

Nationally, out of the 13,024 officers who have been tested since September, 353 failed. Suffolk was the force with the highest percentage of failures with seven per cent, followed by Gwent with six and Wiltshire with just under five.

The three with the lowest were Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, and North Wales, where all officers passed.

Compulsory fitness testing was brought in after recommendations by Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor.

A spokeswoman from Lancashire police said it would not be commenting because the figures were not from the constabulary and that it was a national test.

A College of Policing spokesman said: “Fitness testing is in an interim phase to allow data to be examined so that longer term recommendations can be made to ensure there is no unlawful discrimination against officers because of their age, disability or gender.

“The college will issue guidance to forces prior to September 2014 which will be aimed at supporting officers to pass.

“Officers who fail the test will be provided support to pass through force performance procedu- res, which is not disciplinary action.

“The test is based on scientific research to match the physical demands of officer safety training and involves a 15metre shuttle run.”