Police complaints show 19% rise

Police said they were 'disappointed' with the figures

Complaints against Devon and Cornwall police force went up by 19% over the past 12 months.

The rise to 990 complaints puts the force fifth in a table of 43 forces in England and Wales.

The rise is nearly twice the 10% increase in claims against forces in England and Wales, said the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The Devon and Cornwall force said it was "disappointed", but was committed to reducing complaints.

Last year there were 241 allegations per 1,000 police officers in the Devon and Cornwall force, said the IPCC.

But the force said more than 90% of complaints investigated were unsubstantiated.

Deputy Chief Constable Tony Melville said the force was committed to reducing complaints and numbers were already down since the latest figures were recorded in April.

He said: "Of course it is disappointing that some people are not satisfied with the service they have received."