Complaints against Hertfordshire Police rise
Increase in complaints is higher than the national average
Complaints against Hertfordshire Constabulary have increased by 16.7% over the last year, according to figures from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The watchdog's annual police complaints report for 2024/25 revealed that 1,474 complaints were logged against the force from April 2024 to March 2025, compared to 1,263 complaints during the previous year.
This rise is notably higher than the national average increase of 11% across the 43 police forces in England and Wales. Nationwide, police logged a record 94,940 complaints in the same 12-month period.
Hertfordshire Constabulary fared better than neighbouring forces when comparing the number of complaints per 1,000 employees. Its figure was 330 complaints per 1,000 employees, lower than Essex (495), Bedfordshire (405), Cambridgeshire (406), and Thames Valley Police (424).
Findings from IOPC investigations
Over the last year, the IOPC conducted 20 investigations into Hertfordshire Constabulary, five of which (25%) resulted in findings against the force. This percentage mirrors the previous year, when 16 investigations led to findings in four cases.
Other nearby forces showed similar proportions, with findings made in 27% of Essex IOPC investigations, 21% in Bedfordshire, 20% in Cambridgeshire, and 35% in Thames Valley.
Statements from officials
David Ford, IOPC director of oversight and casework, highlighted the increase in complaints being recorded.
“We are seeing more public complaints being recorded, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is greater dissatisfaction with policing," Ford said.
“We know some forces have improved their complaints handling process, centralising their receipt of complaints and decision-making systems. This is resulting in more matters being formally recorded and reported to us through their data submissions."
Detective Chief Superintendent William Hodgkinson, head of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Professional Standards Department, said: “We have been working hard with the Hertfordshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to publicise and ensure that residents of our county know how to report matters of dissatisfaction.
“Everyone working for Hertfordshire Constabulary strives to deliver the best possible service to our communities, because we know that is what they deserve. When our service falls below our high standards, we want to know so that we can focus on improvement.
“We pride ourselves on identifying more opportunities for learning and handling complaints consistently in a timelier manner than is seen nationally."