ALLEGATIONS against police officers in the region are among the lowest in the country, figures reveal.

The complaints made against officers in England and Wales have been released in the Police Complaint Authority's annual report.

They show Cambridgeshire heading the league for the most complaints per officer, with one allegation for every 3.7 officers.

At the other end of the scale are Durham Police, with one complaint for every 16.7 officers, and Northumbria, with one allegation for every 12.4 officers.

Cleveland Police received one complaint for every 8.2 officers, while North Yorkshire fared less well, with one complaint for every 6.2 officers.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Garvin, of Durham Police, welcomed the figures yesterday.

"Durham has always had a strong link with its local community, and officers always pride themselves on trying to do the best they can for their communities," he said.

Mr Garvin said the bulk of the complaints made against officers were as a result of the "rough and tumble" of arrests.

"A Durham police officer can expect, on these figures, to be complained about once every ten years," he said.