CHESHIRE Police has risen to its highest ever position in Stonewall's Top 100 Employers for 2017.

The force drew up an action plan in 2016 after it slumped to 135th place in the lesbian, gay, bi and transgender charity’s annual employers list.

After a big push to improve staff engagement the force has now climbed to its highest ever position, coming 16th out of 439.

The list is compiled from submissions to the Workplace Equality Index (WEI), a benchmarking tool used by employers to create inclusive workplaces.

Kate McStein, HR manager for Positive Action at Cheshire Police, said: “The results for Stonewall WEI for this year have reflected all the hard work that the organisation has been putting in to ensure that equality and inclusion across all protected characteristics have been embedded throughout all levels of the organisation.

“The Positive Action team within HR played a pivotal role in ensuring that the organisation has not only re-entered the top 100, but has risen so significantly to our highest ever position which we are absolutely delighted with."

Now in its thirteenth year, the Stonewall list celebrates the pioneering efforts of leading organisations to create inclusive workplaces.

To supplement evidence submitted by employers, Stonewall also seeks feedback directly from the entrants’ staff.

The feedback is sent direct to Stonewall and is anonymous. This year Stonewall received over 90,000 responses to the staff survey, making it one of the largest national employment surveys in Britain.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “Hosting events in collaboration with Cheshire ‘Fire Pride’ and Cheshire West and Chester council for LGBT History month, International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and Trans day of remembrance have allowed Cheshire Police to both arrange and be a part of a number of events across the county over the last 12 months.”

David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, praised the force but warned there was still more to be done.

He said: “To be ranked 16th out of 439 employers in Stonewall’s WEI is a fantastic achievement for Cheshire Constabulary and testament to all the hard work that has been done across the force during the past 12-months.

“This is very positive step forward and there is still more to be done. We will continue to work hard to ensure we create the best workplace possible for all lesbian, gay, bi and transgender staff.”