by Helen Richardson

Kent Police have seen one of the biggest percentage surges in complaints in the past year - up 24 per cent.

They are in the top five forces in England and Wales to see a rise in the percentage of gripes since the previous statistics.

Overall members of the public made 862 complaints about officers in Kent in the past 12 months, compared with 695 in the previous year. They included accusations of rudeness and ineffectiveness.

The number of complaint cases and allegations recorded continue to increase above the national average.

Kent also recorded the third largest rate of allegations which went on to be investigated (49 per cent) and an above average rate of substantiated allegations (16 per cent). Notably, the number of allegations investigated has increased by 72 per cent since 07/08, from 465 to 799 allegations.

The force has also been criticised for taking too long to record complaints. The average number of days it took officers to record a complaint case was high, at 18 working days. Nationally, the average for all police forces was just nine days. Some forces took just three days to record complaint cases.

Listen to Assistant Chief Constable Allyn Thomas's views on the issue.

The Kent police complaint statistics revealed that just one per cent of all allegations related to a breach of CODE A stop and search powers. Twelve per cent related to assaults, 20 per cent related to impoliteness and intolerance and the majority - 23 per cent - related to neglect or failure in duty.