MERSEYSIDE Police has been named as one of the country's top employers of lesbian, gay and bisexual staff for a second consecutive year.

The Force was ranked 13th out of 352 organisations in national gay right's charity Stonewall's 'Work Equality Index' this year in what was the largest survey, featuring more than 7,000 participants.

Last year, the Force came eighth out of 317 organisations and its continued success reflects the importance placed on equality and diversity in the workplace.

Staff work hard to ensure there is equal opportunity for all, starting with the induction programme for trainees where heads of each staff network group promote lesbian, gay and bisexual equality and inform both LGB and non-LGB recruits about the group's activities.

In addition, Merseyside Police produced an innovative series of interactive workshops called 'Hate Crime On Trial' for LGBT History Month in February that featured a trial of an assault on a man because he was gay that was recreated using professional actors.

Members of the LGB community were invited to attend and a debate was held afterwards on the outcome and sentence of the trial.

In September, as part of an ongoing community operation, police escorted a group of young lesbian, gay and bisexual people on an educational exchange week to Krakow working with young Polish LGBT people demonstrating Merseyside Police's commitment to challenging responses and combating all forms of hate crime.

The Police also sponsor 'Homotopia', an annual LGBT art festival held in venues across Liverpool.

Chief Inspector Jeanette Wrigley said: "Our continued high ranking in the Stonewall Index is a tribute to our staff and community members who have helped us to be an employer of choice for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

"It sends a strong message to our staff and the community that Merseyside Police embraces equality of opportunity for all and provides an inclusive and diverse workplace.

"We will continue to work with our staff and community members to build on this success in enhancing our workplace for all of our employees.