THE number of complaints against Cleveland Police is continuing to fall, according to latest figures.

But assault allegations continue to be the most common grievance against the force.

Between last April and December, 221 complaints were made against the force, compared with 319 during the same period the previous year.

While allegations of assault followed the falling trend, they continued to make up the largest category.

The use of CS spray featured in ten complaints, compared with 14 in 1999, and referrals to the Police Complaints Authority also fell by two.

The number of allegations of sexual assault, police breaches and improper stops and searches were slightly up.

The results follow a series of high-profile cases against the police, in which civilians have been awardedcompensation.

A report to Cleveland Police Authority's complaints panel, which met yesterday, stated that the number of cases resolved during the period rose from 170 to 188.

Of the 276 new complaints received, only five were substantiated by the authority.

The report reveals that £199,000 was spent on civil claims.