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| Police complaints reach record high in England and Wales | Police complaints reach record high in England and Wales |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| There were a record number of complaints against police in England and Wales last year, figures show. | There were a record number of complaints against police in England and Wales last year, figures show. |
| A total of 37,105 complaint cases were recorded in 2014-15, figures from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) show. | A total of 37,105 complaint cases were recorded in 2014-15, figures from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) show. |
| The numbers show a 6% rise in the amount of complaints made in 2013-14, with the figures reaching a record high for the second year running. | The numbers show a 6% rise in the amount of complaints made in 2013-14, with the figures reaching a record high for the second year running. |
| The most common complaint made was for "neglect or failure in duty". | The most common complaint made was for "neglect or failure in duty". |
| The IPCC said a survey conducted last year showed public satisfaction following contact with the police was falling, and there was a greater willingness to complain | The IPCC said a survey conducted last year showed public satisfaction following contact with the police was falling, and there was a greater willingness to complain |
| 'Over-complex and inconsistent' | 'Over-complex and inconsistent' |
| The figures also found: | The figures also found: |
| Dame Anne Owers, chairwoman of the IPCC, said the figures showed a complaints system that was "both over-complex and inconsistent, and is clearly failing to satisfy a significant number of complainants". | Dame Anne Owers, chairwoman of the IPCC, said the figures showed a complaints system that was "both over-complex and inconsistent, and is clearly failing to satisfy a significant number of complainants". |
| She said: "Chief officers and police and crime commissioners should look closely at the figures for their own forces to satisfy themselves that complainants are being treated fairly and well. | She said: "Chief officers and police and crime commissioners should look closely at the figures for their own forces to satisfy themselves that complainants are being treated fairly and well. |
| "However, the underlying problem is the system itself. We welcome the fact that the government proposes to bring in legislation to simplify and streamline a system that at present satisfies neither those who need it nor those who have to operate it." | "However, the underlying problem is the system itself. We welcome the fact that the government proposes to bring in legislation to simplify and streamline a system that at present satisfies neither those who need it nor those who have to operate it." |
| 'Relatively low' | |
| The number of complaints made to the watchdog marks the most it has received since it started collecting data in 2004-05. | The number of complaints made to the watchdog marks the most it has received since it started collecting data in 2004-05. |
| Alex Duncan, professional standards lead at the Police Federation of England and Wales, said he was "concerned by the length of time it can take to resolve complaints". | |
| However, he said, while the number of complaints was rising, the number of those actually upheld remained relatively low. |