West Yorkshire Police chiefs have hit back after a watchdog found complaints against officers had risen, defying the national trend.

They yesterday said part of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report was “out of date” and “misleading”.

The IPCC’s Police Complaints Statistics for 2010-11 showed that complaints recorded against West Yorkshire officers rose by four per cent on the previous year to 940. They involved 1,824 allegations – up by 11 per cent. The figures contrasted with a four per cent reduction in complaints nationally.

The main allegations against West Yorkshire officers were for incivility (328), assault (314) and neglect of duty (310). The IPCC also said it had upheld 57 per cent of appeals it received against West Yorkshire Police decisions not to record complaints – in line with other forces.

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said that level was disappointing and detracted from the excellent work the Force had done elsewhere with complaints. He added: “I hope to see an improvement in this area next year.”

But West Yorkshire’s Deputy Chief Constable, David Crompton, said: “It is essential for the public to have confidence in the system for investigating complaints. We are continuing to work with the IPCC to identify improvements to our recording processes and recent feedback indicates they are encouraged by the progress we are making in this area.”

Mr Crompton said the rise compared two years to the end of March 2011. He said the up-to-date picture, comparing the 12 months up to November 2011 against the previous year, showed an 11 per cent reduction in complaints across West Yorkshire.