RUDE police officers have prompted a huge rise in complaints to force bosses -- but what is the public perception of how our bobbies behave?

We asked the people of East Lancashire if they thought the police were rude and for any experiences they might have had.

BETH Tomlin, 21, a full-time mum of Monk Street, Clitheroe, said she had a run-in with a policeman when she pulled her car over to let a patrol car pass yesterday.

She added: "A police car came behind us in a narrow road so we couldn't stop as he would not have been able to pass. I was just taking my seat belt off but kept my hand on it until we pulled in again seconds later.

"The policeman got out of his car and gave me a lecture on wearing a seat belt, which I understand, but he was so rude and wouldn't let me get a word in edgeways."

Blackburn College student Sumaiya Bax, 18, of Millham Street, Blackburn, said: "My impression of them is that they are polite and helpful. Some of my family are in the police and they do a good job. I think it must be a minority who are rude, rather than the majority."

But Maryan Patel, 18, also a Blackburn College student, of Wareham Street, Little Harwood, disagreed. She added: "They can be quite judgmental and always seem to be trying to find something in a situation which does not exist.

"For example, my brother drives a really nice car and they are always asking whose car it is and how he could afford it. It's insulting."

Linda Baynes, 49, of Helmshore Road, Helmshore, said she felt policing had improved since a new community bobby had started patrolling her area.

The supply teacher said: "I have not found them to be rude. The big problem is phoning up for things the police don't consider important.

"But I have not come across any problems and there has been a big improvement in community policing."

Pensioners Alan, 70, and Patricia Brown, 63, who live in Queen Street, Nelson, said they were unhappy with the lack of commitment to help in their area.

Patricia said: "I remember one particular incident where we called the local station after vandals had put dog dirt on our step. When we called the police they were not interested at all.

"They told us it was not life-threatening and they could not help us. That is just lazy."

Christine McDonald, 38, of Willow Street, Haslingden, said her daughter had recently been a witness to a crime and officers had behaved impeccably.

She added: "They have never been rude to me, they have always been polite. They were fine and I have never had a problem with them."

And Terry Whelan, who runs Deardengate Dry Cleaners, Haslingden, added: "I have never had any problems with the police. I have a direct radio link to Burnley, if you use it properly they will come.

"Treat them with respect and they will treat you with respect."