Surrey Police Authority has unanimously agreed an innovative package of improved benefits for all employed by Surrey Police.

The package of ground breaking measures was strongly supported by the authority and will ensure that it remains a competitive employer in an area where the cost of living is recognised to be very high.

There are three key elements to the package:

• the introduction of a fully funded healthcare scheme for all staff, police and civilian, with reduced rates for families.

• a more flexible approach to working time.

• a two-stage pay increase for civilian staff to position civilian pay scales competitively in the Surrey market place.

Commenting on the package Liz Campbell, vice-chairman of Surrey Police Authority, said: "Our employees are our most valuable resource and we wish to contribute to their wellbeing and be regarded as an attractive employer.

"lt is by working together often under considerable stress that they ensure the residents of Surrey receive a high quality police service.

"We are the first police authority in the country to offer a fully-funded corporate health scheme to our staff.

"We will continue to keep the package under review as we are determined to remain an attractive employer so we can continue to recruit and retain high calibre people."

Welcoming the benefits Denis O'Connor, Chief Constable of Surrey, said: "I would like to thank members of the authority for the courage to recognise the problems which we face. I am sure that our staff would wish me to thank them on their behalf.

"What this will achieve is to bring the pay we offer our civilian staff up to a competitive level with other commercial organisations in the south-east. The flexibility of working hours will be of great benefit to many but we will ensure sufficient staff are working whenever necessary.

Sixty per cent of the staff we are recruiting live outside Surrey and this package should help us retain these people as well as attract others who already live in the county.