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| Complaints against police reach a record high | Complaints against police reach a record high |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The number of complaints made against police in England and Wales has reached a record high. | The number of complaints made against police in England and Wales has reached a record high. |
| There were 34,863 cases involving complaints in 2013-14, figures from the Independent Police Complaints Commission show. | There were 34,863 cases involving complaints in 2013-14, figures from the Independent Police Complaints Commission show. |
| The figures show a 15% increase on the previous year - and the highest since the IPCC was established in 2004. | The figures show a 15% increase on the previous year - and the highest since the IPCC was established in 2004. |
| The IPCC said the rise was clear in the majority of police forces. | The IPCC said the rise was clear in the majority of police forces. |
| The highest number of complaints were regarding police neglect or failure in duty, followed by complaints about police being rude or intolerant. | The highest number of complaints were regarding police neglect or failure in duty, followed by complaints about police being rude or intolerant. |
| The largest percentage increase in complaint cases year-on-year was recorded by Northumbria Police, which went from 401 complaints to 794, a rise of 98%. | The largest percentage increase in complaint cases year-on-year was recorded by Northumbria Police, which went from 401 complaints to 794, a rise of 98%. |
| The next biggest rise was recorded by City of London Police, where complaints rose 90% from 123 to 234 between 2012-13 and 2013-14. | The next biggest rise was recorded by City of London Police, where complaints rose 90% from 123 to 234 between 2012-13 and 2013-14. |
| Direction and control | Direction and control |
| City of London Police said the 90% rise was caused by it taking responsibility for complaints made against crime reporting centre Action Fraud during 2013-14. | |
| Complaints made solely against that force went down by 15% in the same period, it said. | |
| More than one allegation can be included in a complaint "case" and the police watchdog said some of the overall increase in England and Wales was due to the broadening of the definition of a complaint. | |
| New complaint categories regarding the direction and control of the police were introduced in 2013-2014. | New complaint categories regarding the direction and control of the police were introduced in 2013-2014. |
| Dame Anne Owers, who chairs the IPCC, said the figures showed police forces were "not handling complaints sufficiently well". | Dame Anne Owers, who chairs the IPCC, said the figures showed police forces were "not handling complaints sufficiently well". |
| She said the IPCC upheld 49% of appeals from people whose complaints were not even recorded in the first place, as well as 44% of appeals from those whose complaints had been investigated by the local force. | She said the IPCC upheld 49% of appeals from people whose complaints were not even recorded in the first place, as well as 44% of appeals from those whose complaints had been investigated by the local force. |
| "As we have said many times, this reflects a complaints system which is complex, bureaucratic and over-focused on blame," she said. | "As we have said many times, this reflects a complaints system which is complex, bureaucratic and over-focused on blame," she said. |
| Since 2013, forces have dealt with some of their own appeals. | Since 2013, forces have dealt with some of their own appeals. |
| Dame Anne said: "The IPCC has always been concerned about this, as we consider that it is an in-force review, not an independent appeal. | Dame Anne said: "The IPCC has always been concerned about this, as we consider that it is an in-force review, not an independent appeal. |
| "These figures add to that concern. It is clear that forces uphold a much lower proportion of appeals than the IPCC." | "These figures add to that concern. It is clear that forces uphold a much lower proportion of appeals than the IPCC." |
| 'Under pressure' | 'Under pressure' |
| Ch Supt Gavin Thomas, vice president of the Police Superintendents Association, told BBC Radio 5 live that his immediate reaction to the figures was "disappointment", but said cuts to the police force were not helping the situation. | Ch Supt Gavin Thomas, vice president of the Police Superintendents Association, told BBC Radio 5 live that his immediate reaction to the figures was "disappointment", but said cuts to the police force were not helping the situation. |
| "We've got 35,000 fewer people in the police service since 2010, yet we're dealing with more complexity and more demand than ever before. | "We've got 35,000 fewer people in the police service since 2010, yet we're dealing with more complexity and more demand than ever before. |
| "So I suppose, in a way, I welcome this because what it does is indicate that we are starting to see a service that is starting to creak under the pressure." | "So I suppose, in a way, I welcome this because what it does is indicate that we are starting to see a service that is starting to creak under the pressure." |
| The Home Office is currently reviewing police complaints procedures with the aim of simplifying the system and making it more transparent. | The Home Office is currently reviewing police complaints procedures with the aim of simplifying the system and making it more transparent. |