COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MET POLICE RISE 14% IN ONE YEAR

12.01.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Jun 2005

Ahead of the London Assembly plenary meeting which will question Sir Ian Blair about Met Police performance, the London Assembly Liberal Democrats today released new figures that show that there has been a 14% increase in the number of complaints lodged against the police in the last year.

The figures, taken from Metropolitan Police Authority Papers, show that the number of public complaint allegations being recorded over the past 12 months has increased from a monthly average of 362 in 2003/04 to 405 in 2004/05.

The figures also show that the number of 'live' public complaint cases under investigation has also increased from 492 in May 2004 to a 568 in April 2005.

Liberal Democrat London Assembly policing spokesperson, Graham Tope, said:-

"The rising trend in complaints against the police is deeply worrying. Serious questions must be asked as to why there is such a continual increase in reports against officers and the Met itself.

"Satisfaction in local policing remains low, and these results will further undermine Londoners' trust in, and perception of, the police.

"The Met must urgently get its house in order to ensure that they can rebuild the confidence and trust of Londoners."

END

Notes to editor

· Sir Ian Blair will be questioned today on the performance of the Met Police at 10am at City Hall

· The Met Police Authority meeting was held on Thursday 9th June 2005 from 10am.

The details can be found below:-

"Public complaints - Chart 1 Appendix 1, row 1 and 2 Appendix 2

6. This shows a gradual rising trend in the 12-month rolling average of the number of allegations recorded since May 2004.

7. There has been an increase of 14% in the number of public complaint allegations being recorded over the past 12 months compared with the previous 12 months from a monthly average of 362 in May 2004 to 405 in April 2005.

8. The number of 'live' public complaint cases under investigation at row 12 Appendix 2 shows that overall the number of cases under investigation has increased from 492 in May 2004 to a 568 in April 2005."

http://www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/psc/2005/050609/05.htm

· According to recent Mayoral answers, satisfaction in neighbourhood policing is at 48% in financial year 2004/05, with the Met failing to meet the target of 55% set for it by the MPA