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No surprise as complaints against police up by 93pc

Peter Underwood
29/ 9/2004

COMPLAINTS against Cheshire police have almost doubled since a new system came into effect in April - but the Police Authority say they were expecting it.

Chief Constable, Peter Fahy told the Police Authority that 93 per cent more complaints were made between April and June this year than the same period last year.

The dramatic rise coincides with the introduction of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and new rules which make civilians working for the police subject to complaints, make it easier to complain and allow more people to make complaints.

The political masters of the police, the Police Authority, say other forces have also seen significant rises in the number of complaints but the IPCC say they have no figures nationally and can't say whether any other force has seen such a large rise - although they do confirm that other forces have seen substantial rises.

The police cannot break down the figures for Macclesfield Division and are unable to say how complaints have risen in the borough.

Like the IPCC, Police Authority chairman Peter Nurse believes the rise is a good thing as it shows a renewed confidence in the complaints procedure.

He said: "If more people have the confidence to report their concerns about police action because they believe something will be done, complaints are bound to rise in the short term.

"We shall monitor the trends carefully to make sure that everyone gets better at resolving issues when they do arise."

The number of people complaining has soared from 74 last year to 140 this and the number of separate complaints from 150 to 222.

The Police Authority say the biggest rises have come in the lower categories involving neglect of duty and rudeness by police or other members of staff.

Under the new rules, if you want to make a complaint you can go into any police station telephone, email or write to the force.

Third parties like the local Citizens' Advice Bureau, Racial Equality Council, Neighbourhood Warden, Youth Offending Team or Probation Service, as well as solicitors and MPs can help you complain and even friends and relatives can complain on your behalf.

You can also contact the Independent Police Complaints Commission at 90 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6BH, call them on 08453 002 002 (local rate) or email: enquiries@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk. Their web site is www.ipcc.gov.uk.