OFFICERS from North Yorkshire Police are of adequate fitness, but not all could pass the force’s standard test, new figures have shown.

A new study by the College of Policing looked at the fitness test scores of almost 30,000 fitness tests from 38 forces around England and Wales, and found that 35 of 1,064 North Yorkshire Police officers did not pass the standard shuttle run test - a 15-metre run between two markers in time with beeps which become progressively faster.

The figures are in line with the national average (of about 97 per cent), but while figures showed the only force in Yorkshire to have a 100 per cent pass rate was Humberside Police, (1,046 passes), the force yesterday said told The Press this number was incorrect.

Ian Watson, assistant chief officer, head of human resources for Humberside Police, said: “Tests in Humberside were not recorded in line with the interim guidance provided by the college. Our results are therefore not valid.

“However, we are confident that the number of Humberside officers achieving the necessary fitness level is in line with the national average.”

Elsewhere, West Yorkshire Police shared North Yorkshire’s percentage of 96.7 per cent (1,243 passes from 1,286), while South Yorkshire had a 97.3 per cent pass rate (1,329 passes from 1,366).

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Ken McIntosh, from North Yorkshire Police, said: “The interim results are encouraging with a 96.7% pass rate so far. Support, advice and encouragement will be provided to any officers who are struggling to reach the required fitness level.”

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Price, from the college, said: “The results to date are encouraging and show the vast majority of officers tested are fit.

“New guidance will be issued to forces later this year with a strong emphasis on providing supportive measures to help officers pass the test.”

The college’s professional committee will meet in July to discuss and suggest new national standard fitness tests, which could be introduced by the end of the year.