COMPLAINTS about North Yorkshire Police rose by 14 per cent last year, new figures have shown.

Figures released by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) showed the force received 331 complaints in 2016-2017, up from 291 in 2015-2017.

North Yorkshire was not the only local force to see a rise in complaints, as Humberside Police saw a 44 per cent increase - from 529 to 760.

However, neighbouring forces in Cleveland and Durham saw complaint figures fall - complaints received by Cleveland Police fell by a quarter from 609 to 454, while Durham Constabulary saw a 21 per cent drop from 399 to 314.

Detective Superintendent Maria Taylor, of North Yorkshire Police, said the increase had been noted but was a fraction of the total number of crimes dealt with in that time.

Det Supt Taylor said: “North Yorkshire Police dealt with in excess of 225,000 incidents and crimes in 2016-2017, and our officers and staff work hard to ensure a satisfactory outcome is reached with the vast majority of people who do come into contact with us.

“However, whilst we recognise the importance of monitoring the level of complaints received, we believe that the manner in which the complaint is dealt with and reaching an outcome which satisfies all involved, is also vital.”

The figures showed the force dealt with 85 per cent of complaints within 10 days, and Det Supt Taylor said the force’s Professional Standards Department worked to “ensure timely, thorough and fair investigations take place and where lessons need to be learnt, that learning is applied quickly”.

She said: “Our above average rates of local resolution - 67 per cent where the national average is 42 per cent - and low number of appeals received - 53 received compared to national average of 89 - demonstrate this commitment.”

Det Supt Taylor said the force’s complaints handling process had been reviewed by the IOPC and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, “and the force has received positive feedback from both organisations on both efficiency and effectiveness”.