COMPLAINTS against Gwent Police increased by more than a quarter during the 2014/15 financial year.

The figures, contained in a report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, make worrying reading for the force. The average increase across England and Wales was just six per cent.

There could be a number of reasons for complaints increasing to almost 400.

It could be because Gwent Police encourages people to complain if they are unhappy with the service they have received from officers.

It could be because awareness of the IPCC is at an all-time high.

Or it could be because people have more cause to complain about Gwent police officers than elsewhere.

The latter scenario is the one which will worry chief constable Jeff Farrar and Police and Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston.

Mr Johnston says he will be discussing the IPCC’s finding with Mr Farrar in great detail. We would expect nothing less.

The police do a fine job and the number of complaints remains tiny when compared to the number of incidents attended.

There is no room for complacency, however, and Gwent should be targeting a reduction in complaints this time next year.