By Saul Cooke-Black

THE number of complaints and allegations against Gloucestershire Police has risen sharply over the last 12 months, new figures reveal.

Figures released by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) show there was a 50 per cent increase in allegations against the force, compared to a 13 per cent rise nationally.

There were 671 allegations made against Gloucestershire Police in 2014/15, compared to 448 the previous year.

A spokesman from Gloucestershire Police said: "We believe the increased figures represent more willingness by the public to come forward, with greater confidence that their complaints will be heard and acted on.

"We encourage people to let us know when they feel they have not received satisfactory service, knowing that we will respond positively and professionally.

"Our website has full details of how to make a complaint and how we will handle it."

Nationally, there were more than 67,000 allegations against the police.

The majority of these concerned neglect of duty and incivility.

The IPCC said the national figures revealed 'wide inconsistencies' in the way police handled complaints.

Dame Anne Owers, chairman of the IPCC, said: "These figures show a complaints system that is both over-complex and inconsistent, and is clearly failing to satisfy a significant number of complainants.

"Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners should look closely at the figures for their own forces to satisfy themselves that complainants are being treated fairly and well.

"However, the underlying problem is the system itself.

"We welcome the fact that the government proposes to bring in legislation to simplify and streamline a system that at present satisfies neither those who need it nor those who have to operate it.”

Complaints against the Gloucestershire force also rose by 30 per cent, compared to a six per cent increase nationally. A total of 438 complaints were recorded against Gloucestershire Police in 2014/15.

It took the force an average of 106 days to resolve a complaint, four less than the national average.

Nationally, more than 37,000 complaints were recorded.