The number of complaints against Thames Valley Police officers has fallen slightly below last year's figures, writes Emma Henry.

Complaints about officers' behaviour since April 1 this year totalled 234 16 fewer than in the same period last year.

They included 75 new complaints in June and July.

The 234 complaints included 69 of assault, 45 of incivility, 24 of failure in duty, 20 of unlawful arrest or detention, 18 of oppressive conduct or harassment and 12 of racially discriminatory behaviour. There was also one complaint alleging sexual assault, six alleging serious non-sexual assault, four of perjury or irregularity in evidence, seven of mishandling of property, 15 breaches of detention, treatment and questioning codes, two of breach of search of premises codes, two of other irregularity in procedures not covered by any other section, four of traffic irregularity and five unspecified complaints. Seventy-eight of the complaints made between April and July 2000 followed arrests. These included 48 allegations of assault, 13 relating to the use of handcuffs, four relating to the use of batons and three to the use of CS spray.

The complaints involved 188 uniform officers, seven CID officers, 21 traffic officers, 11 support group officers, one Special Constable, seven unspecified officers and 20 others not identified. Ninety-nine outstanding cases being investigated by the Police Authority were also concluded in June and July this year, today's Thames Valley Police Authority Complaints Committee was due to hear. Of the completed cases, eight had some element of complaint substantiated, 53 cases were not substantiated, 21 cases were informally resolved, five cases were either withdrawn or not proceeded with and 12 were granted a waiver by the Police Complaints Authority.

As a result of the substantiated cases, six officers were given advice from their area commanders and four officers received written warnings.