795 complaints against Lancashire Police (From Lancashire Telegraph)

795 complaints against Lancashire Police

10:00am Monday 29th October 2012 in News

THERE were 795 complaints recorded against Lancashire Police last year, according to figures released by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The IPCC statistics for England and Wales 2011/12 report shows the complaints contained 1,471 allegations and there were 185 appeals to the IPCC about Lancashire Constabulary’s handling of complaints.

The appeals included 113 about the way the force dealt with a complaint investigation, 14 about complaints resolved locally, and 58 about the force’s failure to record a complaint.

The IPCC completed 158 appeals during 2011, upholding 46 per cent, higher than the 38 per cent result for England and Wales. Of particular note was the fact that 62 per cent of appeals relating to Lancashire Constabulary’s failure to record a complaint were upheld.

Dame Anne Owers, chairman of the IPCC, said: “All chief constables should take personal interest in the findings of this report and assure themselves that they and their staff are meeting their obligations to record and resolve valid complaints from the public.

In particular, they should look closely at the number and type of appeals upheld by the IPCC.”

The total number of complaints recorded by police forces in England and Wales fell for the second consecutive year.