COMPLAINTS against Hampshire police have rocketed by 17.5 per cent in the past three months.

Latest figures show the force received 395 complaints between January and March, 38 more than the previous quarter and 43 more than the same period last year.

The complaints are logged in six main categories including discrimination, malpractice, failures of duty, incivility, traffic and oppressive behaviour.

The biggest rise in the fourth quarter compared to last year came in the "failures of duty", largely relating to the Police & Criminal Evidence Act.

Complaints about incivility also rose slightly however, complaints of oppressive behaviour fell by about one quarter.

In his quarterly report deputy chief constable Brian Readhead said the rise would be "closely monitored and is subject of a more comprehensive analytical review which will be published during the next quarter".

He noted that despite recent rises the number of complaints over the past year rose by just 0.3 per cent to 1,069. Fewer than five per cent were substantiated.

Hampshire Police Authority's complaints and professional standards committee will look at the figures today.