The number of complaints against West Midlands police officers has soared, new figures reveal. And almost half of the complaints come from members of the public accusing policemen and women of being rude or lazy.

Some 1,630 complaints were received by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPPC) in England and Wales against the West Midlands force in 2006-07 – a 22 per cent rise on 2005-06. A complaint may have one or more allegations attached, and the data shows 3,130 accusations were made this year.

Of these, 2,817 were against officers only – up 21 per cent on the previous year – with 46 per cent investigated, 40 per cent which were less serious matters dealt with locally by way of an explanation or apology, 12 per cent withdrawn by the complainant and two per cent thrown out.

National statistics show that impoliteness, incivility, failure of duty or neglect accounted for 45 per cent of last year’s complaints.

Complaints lodged against the Staffordshire force totalled 667 – down one per cent on the year before. This included 910 allegations, of which 831 were against officers – an increase of five per cent.

And 850 complaints were made against the West Mercia force, which covers Shropshire, compared to 796 the previous year, showing a rise of seven per cent. 

This included 1,172 allegations, 1,165 of which were directly linked to bobbies – up 17 per cent.

Nationally, figures for 2006-07 show that complaints have gone up by 10 per cent to 28,998. 

Of these, 93 per cent were against officers, with staff and special constables making up the rest.

The most common complaint was of neglect or failure in duty (24 per cent), followed by incivility, impoliteness and intolerance (21 per cent).

There were a total of 41,584 allegations, 47 per cent of which were dealt with locally, 30 per cent investigated by an appointed officer, 12 per cent withdrawn and 10 per cent thrown out. And of those investigated, 11 per cent were substantiated.

IPCC chairman Nick Hardwick said: “For the law-abiding citizen, their contact with the police, whether real or perceived, can have a profound impact on their confidence in the police service.”