SUFFOLK Police was today ranked in Britain's top 100 employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.The force improved its position from 2009 by 34 places.

SUFFOLK Police was today ranked in Britain's top 100 employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.

The force improved its position from 2009 by 34 places.

A workplace equality index is put together by Stonewall, a gay equality charity, on an annual basis. The index is the definitive national benchmark for employers to measure their own performance in relation to competitors and to track workplace culture for gay, lesbian and bisexual employees.

This year, Suffolk Constabulary has been placed at 50, rising 112 places in two years, being ranked 162nd in 2008 and 84th in 2009.

The continued improvement in the constabulary's ranking is particularly impressive this year, as submissions to the index have increased for the sixth year running, rising to 352 organisations across 24 sectors.

Competition to be featured as a Top 100 Employer has intensified with 23 new entries in the top 100, along with a 10pc rise in the minimum score required for inclusion.

Organisations are ranked according to criteria; ranging from the implementation of effective equality policies, practical demonstration of good practice in recruitment and mentoring, to how they engage with lesbian and gay staff, customers and service users.