COMPLAINTS against Dorset Police rose by three per cent to 506 in the last financial year, latest figures have revealed.

Statistics released by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) also show that a quarter of the complaints were investigated by the force itself with 53 per cent dealt with through local resolution.

The IPCC said police forces across England and Wales are inconsistent in their approach to handling complaints and revealed the system will change from next year.

Chair Dame Anne Owers said: "The public need to have a high level of confidence in the police complaints system. If they complain about their local police force they need to know it will be dealt with robustly and fairly.

"The current system is not sufficiently independent. The new system will be simpler and more flexible and will also provide an independent appeal right for everyone."