PIONEERING training methods have failed to cut the number of complaints against Lancashire's police officers.

Statistics released by the police complaints authority show there were 649 complaints from the public in the last eight months of 1998.

The figure is marginally down from the same period in the previous year, despite the introduction of new training and techniques.

Northamptonshire police had dramatic results when they introduced a series of initiatives aimed at reducing the level of complaints. The Northamptonshire force were concerned about increasing complaints and changed their training.

The constabulary noticed many of the moans were linked to arrests and the physical restraint of suspects when they took a closer look at the statistics.

Lancashire police chiefs told members of the police authority's complaints committee many of the techniques introduced in Northamptonshire reflected changes already put in place in Lancashire.

Bosses are hoping the changes in working practices will see a fall in the number of complaints over the next few years.

But Lancashire's record does not compare well with other similar-sized forces across the country. Only Hampshire has had more complaints while busy areas like South Wales and Leicestershire have much better records.

The vast majority of cases are linked to arrests and most people accuse officers of assault and rudeness. More than a quarter of official cases are never substantiated and more than 15 per cent are formally withdrawn. Police managed to resolve 32 per cent of complaints through informal means.

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