Civilian staff protested outside the force's Middlemoor HQ

Staff gathered outside Middlemoor in Exeter on Thursday to voice concerns about a new pay system which will see some lose as much as �8,000 a year.

The re-grading follows a year-long review of civilian police staff pay.

The force said it was fair as pay would be based on contributions of people's jobs rather than length of service.

Assistant Chief Constable Caroline Winter attended the demonstration to hear some of their concerns face to face.

She said: "I think it's important that individuals have the opportunity to tell me how they are feeling."

I've never been treated so badly by an employer in my life Lynn Burgoyne

She says people will not necessarily be earning less when the changes are introduced.

"This is not going to happen until October 2006 which gives us plenty of opportunity to talk to staff to encourage them to apply for other vacancies."

One protester, Lynn Burgoyne, from the Criminal Records Bureau, said: "I don't know how we're going to cope, I really don't know how I'm going to pay my mortgage, and I'm scared.

"I've never been treated so badly by an employer in my life. I've done 16 years with Devon and Cornwall Police, and I'm disgusted."

One of the areas most affected is the fingerprint unit where one member of staff, who did not want to be named, said morale was extremely low.

He said: "We've stopped work, nothing is being done at the moment."

Some have begun to "work to rule" in protest, not doing more than contracted hours. Others have already resigned from the force.

When staff asked to see the Chief Constable, Maria Wallis, they were told she was on holiday.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said 200 to 300 people gathered outside the headquarters.

He added that the operational side of policing, including emergency call-handling, had not been affected by the demonstration.

'Less beneficial'

In a statement, the force said: "Following lengthy negotiations with the staff representatives, and consultation with the wider workforce new pay scales have been developed to ensure that individual staff contribution is recognised and rewarded at every level.

"The system is fairer as pay progression is based on the individual's contribution rather than length of service and a more objective process determines pay grades.

"Many of the lowest paid staff members will now have the potential to earn more".

The statement also acknowledged that some employees "despite potentially being able to earn more, will see it (the new pay structure) as less beneficial".