'Fat' description gets police ban

Mrs Magilton said police treated her like a criminal

A woman who was injured in a hit-and-run accident got a ticking off after describing the driver as fat.

Mary Magilton, 54, of Moorside in Oldham, Greater Manchester, was told she could not use "words like that" to describe someone in a statement.

The mother-of-three said Greater Manchester Police made her feel like a criminal for using the description.

The force said their officers follow an "appropriate language guide" to help staff be professional and correct.

But the guide clearly states: "When taking a witness statement from a member of the public, be aware of the evidential need to record the witness's exact words."

The policy is aimed at ensuring that honest mistakes through lack of knowledge or insensitivity can be corrected Greater Manchester Police

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "Our policy covers issues relating to race, disability, gender, religion, sexuality and age, and includes operational guidance and information on where to seek advice.

"The policy, which is regularly reviewed and updated, is aimed at ensuring that honest mistakes through lack of knowledge or insensitivity can be corrected."

The spokesman suggested an alternative description to use would be "of heavy build".

'Casual remark'

The mother-of-three was hit by the motorist last month as she was talking to friends on the pavement at the junction of Ripponden Road and Turf Pit Lane in Oldham.

A Citroen C3 caught her on the back of her leg, leaving her with cuts and severe bruising.

She said she made the remark when asked to describe the woman driver to police.

"It was just a casual remark which I thought most people would use. They made me feel like a criminal and I have never committed a crime in all my life."

She added: "I would never use a word that someone might find offensive.

"I was treated horribly, it's so silly, the world has gone mad. Political correctness has gone mad."