And finally…£2m bill for the Old Bill’s expansive waistline

The SPA said the merger of Scotland’s eight forces in 2013 to form Police Scotland meant that a number of officers across the country were wearing “different styles and quality of trousers”.

The authority believes that the lack of consistency in the trouser department is resulting in some cops being unable to perform their duties to the required standard.

Contracts totalling just over £2m have now been signed with MW (UK) Ltd to provide breeches to Police Scotland and the British Transport Police in Scotland until 2019.

An SPA board paper recommended said Police Scotland had requested samples of “comfort fit” or elasticated waist trousers as part of the tender process.

The document went on to say that there was a “risk to the reputation” of the organisation if police officers were unable to carry out the range of duties required due their trousers.

The report said: “Following the merging of the eight legacy forces, it was identified that similar but not identical uniform was purchased. A procurement exercise was therefore undertaken to realise consistency of uniform.

“At present, a number of officers across the country are wearing different styles and quality of trousers.”