THE number of complaints made against North Yorkshire Police has fallen for the first time in two years.

The force received 84 complaints containing 144 allegations during the last three months of 2005.

In a report to the county's police authority, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Lemon said it was the first quarter since April 2004 that North Yorkshire Police has not experienced a significant increase in the number of recorded complaints.

There were 15 allegations of assault and excessive force, down from 17 in the same period of 2004.

The largest number of complaints were made about "neglect of duty". Of the 36 complaints in this category, 20 related to officers failing to properly investigate a reported crime, and 12 were about officers or police staff refusing to do something they had been asked to do.

There were also four complaints about failing to update people about the outcome of an incident.

Just two of the 156 allegations investigated during the period were substantiated.

Councillor Jane Kenyon, chairman of the police authority, welcomed the fall in the number of complaints, but said it was no reason to be complacent.

"The public are clearly satisfied with the interaction with our police officers," she said. "This shows a high level of professionalism.

"There is no room for complacency, but this is great news and we will continue to monitor the situation to ensure it continues."

She said the drop in complaints could largely be put down to better interaction between officers and members of the public, brought about by an increase in the number of officers.

Coun Kenyon added that members of the public were encouraged to complain if they were dissatisfied.

Four officers were issued with superintendents' written warnings, down from five in the same part of 2004.

One was criticised for spending an excessive period of time on the Internet while on duty, one for abusive behaviour towards a colleague, one for inappropriate use of the staff e-mail system and one for accepting a fine for a fixed penalty notice without going through the official process.

Another 12 were given verbal warnings. Most were the result of an investigation into the sending of inappropriate messages and images over the force's e-mail system.