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Hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers have failed fitness tests, the Standard can reveal.

At least 356 officers have failed to reach the required level in the shuttle run fitness test since London’s police force introduced the “bleep test” in April last year.

According to figures obtained by the Standard, a total of 117 male officers of the 9,377 failed the bleep test and 239 of the 2,998 female officers to take part also pulled up short.

The failures raise concerns over the officers’ abilities to chase and catch criminals.

The annual fitness test was introduced across all police forces in England and Wales in September after recommendations made by Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor.

The Winsor recommendations say that all officers should take a “bleep test” annually, with most participants having to complete a 15-metre shuttle run in shorter and shorter periods, reaching level 5.4 - four shuttles at level 5.

If an officer fails the fitness test at the first attempt, it is advised that at least two retakes are permitted before forces use “unsatisfactory performance” against the participating officer.

A Met Police spokeswoman said: “Since the fitness test was introduced last year, 97 per cent of Metropolitan Police officers have passed which is in line with the national average.

“Where officers fail the test they will be provided with development plans and the necessary support to help them meet the standard. In the unlikely event that this is not possible more formal steps may be initiated.”

While most officers only have to achieve the basic fitness level, members of the Met’s specialist firearms unit must reach level 10.5 and perform a 20-second rope hang.

Public order and armed response vehicle officers must also achieve a higher standard.

Only Humberside and Surrey police forces boasted 100 per cent pass rates across all officers, according to figures from the College of Policing released last year.

Met officers have been advised to prepared for tests by going for a “hard run” for 20 to 30 minutes, three days a week.

The force has previously issued stations with cookbooks to encourage officers to eat healthier.

Mr Winsor also recommended harder tests from 2018.