COMPLAINTS against officers in Cleveland Police force have risen for the second consecutive year - and assault allegations account for nearly half of them.

In total, 211 new cases were opened from April 1, last year until March 31, an increase of 30 on the previous year.

Of that figure, only four were referred to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), a reduction of more than 50 per cent - from nine during 2002/03.

The cases handled by the PCA included one allegation of a person being bitten by a police dog, an allegation of assault with a baton, and one of assault.

In a report to be discussed by the police authority next Thursday, members will hear that one officer was dismissed after appearing before an internal misconduct panel.

The unnamed policeman faced nine charges combining disobedience to orders, falsehood and prevarication, improper disclosure of information and discreditable conduct.

For the most serious charges, he was dismissed from the service. The other charges resulted in two reprimands and one not guilty.

The report, written on behalf of Chief Constable Sean Price, also says: "Assault allegations continue to be the largest single category of complaint made by the public with 95 recorded during 2003/04. The majority of complaints in this category relate to circumstances arising upon arrest, with 11 from the use of CS spray."

Nearly 50 per cent of the complaints were made against officers serving in Middlesbrough.

It was not all bad news for the force. It received 624 expressions of appreciation from members of the public although that figure is down on the previous year's 808.