COMPLAINTS against Lancashire police have rocketed by 36 per cent.

In the quarter from January to March this year there were 196 complaints, up 52 from the same period last year.

It follows a 20 per cent increase in complaints during the October to December quarter.

The biggest jump was for complaints about neglect of duty, which increased from 30 to 54 while complaints alleging oppressive conduct rose from 11 to 16, assault from 31 to 35 and irregularity of practice from two to seven.

Allegations that police had been rude fell from 26 to 23, breaking a recent upwards trend in that category.

But despite the increase, none of the complaints has so far been substantiated.

Some 96 complaints were informally resolved by way of, for example, asking the officer to explain themselves.

A dozen complaints were found to be unsubstantiated and a further 12 were later withdrawn. Another 25 were the subject of a 'waiver' which means the complainant did not wish to pursue the matter and 51 are still being dealt with.

Approximately 70 per cent of complaints were made by white people, two by black people and another two by Asian people. For 37 of the complaints, the complainant's background was not known.

Four officers and three support staff are currently suspended from duty. A report to the police authority, which will discuss the complaints during a meeting at county hall, Preston, on Thursday, said: "There appeared to be a correlation with the increase in the number of arrests that had taken place.

"Many cases had been informally resolved with the officer explaining their actions. Half of the cases occurred during the night shift.

"Perhaps divisions ought to be advised to carefully consider the age and service profile of those officers who were most likely to come into conflict situations, for example town centre policing on Friday and Saturday nights," the report adds.