A DEPUTY chief constable has called his force's latest gender pay gap figures "disappointing" following a 1.4 per cent increase between middle-ranking men and women.

Phil Cain, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "It is disappointing that the gender pay gap figure is as high as it is – but it is important to remember that it represents a moment in time a year ago."

Figures published on April 1 revealed the force's gender pay gap figure of 22.2 per cent was higher than last year's 20.8 per cent.

The figures were published as Lisa Winward, deputy chief constable at the time, said in 2018, that there "were lots of different reasons" for a gender pay gap, and said the force would "do a lot more work to understand what really sits behind" the force's gender pay gap figure so that "changes could be made."

Following this latest announcement, Mr Cain said: "Through our Positive Action Programme we are trying to address gender imbalance, and as an organisation we have moved on since the period these figures represent.

“If you look at our workforce now, we have gender balance in the top ranks, from our chief officer team down to the level of chief inspector, which means more women in the most highly-paid jobs.

“With the success we’ve had in recruiting more women into the organisation, and the work we’re doing to mentor women in our workforce, we should be able to make an impact on the gender pay gap over time.

“Reducing the gender pay gap is a challenge, but we’re committed to bringing that figure down.”

North Yorkshire Police's gender pay gap remains higher than West Yorkshire Police at 19.5 per cent, and remains less than South Yorkshire Police at 26.8 per cent.

The Northern Echo contacted North Yorkshire Police for a further comment, to which they declined.