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23
Jul
North Yorkshire Police spent more than £1.5m on uniforms, new figures show
North Yorkshire Police spent more than £1.5 million on uniforms in the last three years, new figures show.
The data, which was compiled by Custom Embroidered Patches UK, compared the spending of four forces, including North Yorkshire Police, Humberside Police, West Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Police.
According to a freedom of information request, the police in this county spent a total of £1,581,359 since 2023/24.
Of that figure, £56,447 was spent on badges and insignia alone.
Figures issued by North Yorkshire Police.
North Yorkshire Police also confirmed that it that it sifts through decommissioned uniforms via its logistics department and any uniform that is worn and has had skin contact - such as tops and trousers - is collected and immediately destroyed.
The force said:
Sometimes we have training departments come in and request some old uniform for training but once they have had their use, we will then dispose of them through a company. If there is then any uniform that can be recycled and is appropriate to be issued again then we will.
West Yorkshire Police recorded the highest expenditure, spending a total of £3,709,939 over three years. Its costs peaked at £1,315,084.86 during 2023/24, before dropping to £1,135,130.96 by 2025/26.
West Yorkshire Police has no written uniform policy. If returned garments are clearly worn, they are simply destroyed, filtering out items that could easily be washed and reused.
Humberside Police recorded uniform expenditure of £2,544,429 across the same financial period. Its costs hit £982,231.00 during the 2024/25 financial year alone.
Neighbourhood police at One Arch in Harrogate.
The Humberside force lacks a written disposal policy. Garments assessed by stores assistants are routinely destroyed if they are deemed “clearly worn”.
Meanwhile, South Yorkshire Police spent £2,428,278 on uniforms, with their outlays steadily increasing year-on-year. Costs rose from £769,415 in 2023/24 to £887,532 by 2025/26
A Custom Embroidered Patches UK spokesperson said.
These numbers highlight the truly staggering financial burden that regional police forces currently face when equipping their officers for the front line.
When millions of pounds of public money are spent year upon year, the logistical challenge is clear, but these costs could be drastically reduced.
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