FEMALE staff at Greater Manchester Police are paid on average 11.85 per cent less than their male colleagues — according to a new report published today.

The force's annual Gender Pay Gap report, which assessed data from all 10 GMP districts, as of March 31, 2017, also showed that female officers earned on average 2.6 per cent less per hour than their male counterparts.

However, women were shown to take home better bonuses, outstripping their male colleagues by 59.36 per cent.

GMP said the gap could be explained by "the higher proportion of women than men in lower paid roles."

Serving 2.5 million people, GMP employs a total of 10,139 people, of whom 41 per cent are women and 59 per cent men.

However, just 29 per cent of the force's officers are women and 71 per cent are men.

Assistant Chief Officer Lynne Potts said: “ Where male and female police officers and staff are performing the same roles they are paid the same.

"Police officer salaries are set by the Home Office and are based on a national rank structure.

"The gender pay gap for police officers reflects the fact there are currently less women than men in senior positions.

“In relation to police staff the gender pay gap is explained by the fact that there is a higher proportion of women than men in lower-paid roles.

“We are absolutely determined to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve and are working hard to promote equal opportunities for all staff to ensure they can progress through the organisation based solely on their ability."