CHESHIRE Constabulary has been named the most inclusive police force in the UK.

The Constabulary ranked 12th in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers list, making it the highest ranking police force in the country.

The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers identified the most inclusive organisations across the country that show continued dedication to workplace diversity.

A dedicated panel of judges collated the list based on each organisations performance on a range of areas within the diversity arena.

Organisations in the top 50 list have provided sufficient evidence on an amalgamation of topics including recruitment procedures, training and a host of diversity related initiatives.

Acting Chief Const Janette McCormick said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Constabulary has not only been placed in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, but it has been ranked so highly.

“This is an exceptional achievement which I hope showcases to members of our communities how committed we remain to increasing diversity in force.

“This is a fantastic achievement for the Constabulary and I am extremely pleased that the force’s commitment to increasing diversity in force, and being an inclusive workforce, has been recognised nationally.

The list recognises the outstanding effort the force has given to attracting and retaining a truly diverse workforce and fundamentally having an inclusive workforce – I want to assure the public that the hard work will continue.”

This is the latest accolade Cheshire Police has received in its drive to increase diversity in the workforce.

The force’s innovative recruitment programme was recently shortlisted in The Guardian’s Public Service of the Year awards.

And last month, the constabulary was named as one of the UK’s Best Employers for Race in a listing published by Business in the Community.

Speaking at the time, David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, said: “One of my key policing priorities is to deliver a service connected to our communities.

“Creating an inclusive workplace is a vital element in achieving this goal, and I am therefore extremely pleased that the force has been named by Business in the Community as one of the UK’s Best Employers for Race.

“This recognition reflects the work being done to ensure we are a police force and an organisation demonstrating best practice on race equality.”

The recent success comes after a Freedom of Information request in January 2016 revealed that Cheshire Constabulary was one of four police forces that did not employ a single serving black or black British officer.

However, Cheshire was the only police force that reported appointing a greater proportion of people from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities than live in its local area.