MERSEYSIDE Police has recorded the second lowest record number of complaints in the country, according to an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report yesterday.

The national average is 330 allegations recorded per 1,000 officers but Merseyside has had 165 allegations, the second lowest figure nationally.

The report comes against a backdrop of increased police activity across Merseyside including a 12% increase in arrests, a 35% increase in stop and search, and a 25% increase in cautions.

The force has however seen a slight overall increase in complaints from 147 last year and the police put this down to a new recording standard brought in by the IPCC, which has meant a change in when a complaint has been recorded.

Deputy Chief Constable Bernard Lawson said: “We’ve undertaken a great deal of work with officers and staff to tackle any emerging trends in the nature of complaints that come into the Force so that we can further prevent complaints in the future.

“Merseyside Police aims to be the best Force in the UK, and as part of our Total Policing initiative we strive to provide Total Care to victims and witnesses. It is important the public continue to give us feedback through Your Voice Counts, or in more serious cases through contact with our Professional Standards Department.”

The report also reveals that in total there were 665 complaints against the force in the last financial year compared with 524 in Cheshire and 1,794 in Great Manchester.

About two thirds of complaints were made by men and 89% of the complaints were unsubstantiated the IPCC ruled. Just 19 complaints turned out to be justified.

Cllr Bill Weightman, chair of Merseyside Police Authority said: “The Police Authority is pleased to be doing well on a national scale when it comes to the number of complaints made against officers. While we are pleased to hear of the national figures we will continue to look into the reasons for the increase in the number of complaints locally.”

CHIEF Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe will today receive a Carbon Trust Standard for the force’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Merseyside is the first force in the country to achieve the environmental certificate that proves the force has taken action on climate change by reducing its carbon footprint.

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