COMPLAINTS made about Gwent Police by members of the public fell by 49 in 2008/09 compared to the previous year.

Police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) released the figures as part of its annual report on complaints statistics.

Gwent was the only Welsh force to record a significant drop in complaints against the force from 313 to 264, a decrease of 16 per cent.

There was a small rise in the number of allegations against police officers from 482 to 497 - a complaint case may involve more than one allegation - but the four per cent increase was by far the lowest in Wales.

Of 183 completed investigations, only 18 found allegations against Gwent Police to be substantiated and during 2008/09 224 complaints were resolved locally.

Although the number of complaints last year were up 50 per cent compared with 2003/04, this was still a smaller increase.

In the UK as a whole, complaints against the police by the public rose by eight per cent to 31,259 - an increase of 8,000 since the IPCC first became responsible since collecting the data.

As in previous years most complaints are about 'neglect of duty' (24 per cent) and 'incivility' (21 per cent), essentially being rude and late, said the organisation. The proportion of all allegations that are substantiated is 10 per cent.

IPCC chairman Nick Hardwick said: "The overall increase in the number of complaints reflects growing confidence in the system and more consistent complaint recording standards. We want to make sure all sections of society have confidence.

"If the people are to enjoy the confidence of the public it is important they hear from all communities about their experience of policing - good and bad."

FIGURES FOR WELSH FORCES

Complaint cases by police forces in Wales Constabulary 2008/09 2007/08 % change Dyfed Powys 286 287 0 Gwent 264 313 -16 North Wales 390 319 +115 South Wales 774 682 +115 Allegations against police officers 2008/09 Constabulary 2008/09 % change Dyfed Powys 667 +12 Gwent 497 +4 North Wales 663 +35 South Wales 1010 +50 Outcome of completed investigations 2008/09 Constabulary 2008/09 - no. substantiated % Dyfed Powys 19 of 236 8 Gwent 18 of 183 10 North Wales 12 of 207 6 South Wales 17 of 150 11