Complaints about Thames Valley Police officers have risen by more than nine per cent in the past year, new figures reveal.

Altogether 624 accusations of unprofessionalism were made against officers between April 1, 2000, and January 31, 2001, compared to 572 in the previous 12 months.

The complaints recorded include 179 of assault, 109 of incivility, 73 of failure in duty and 49 of oppressive conduct or harassment.

The figures, released in a report to the Thames Valley Police complaints committee, also show that 76 complaints were dealt with by the authority between December 1, 2000, to January 31, 2001.