LINCOLNSHIRE Police is one of the worst forces in England for complaints about their officers, new figures have revealed.

A total of 51 officers had have three or more complaints made about them by members of the public in 2009-10.

They make up 4.23 per cent of the 1,206 officers in the force.

This percentage brings the force in to the top three worst in England for multiple complaints, according to a Freedom Of Information (FOI) Request obtained by the BBC.

Other forces with the most complaints per officer were Northern Ireland and West Mercia.

But Lincolnshire Police bosses say the figures are flawed because they do not compare like for like.

Superintendent Paula Wood, head of professional standards, said: "The 'league table', which has been compiled from the figures supplied by those forces that responded to the FOI request, does not compare like with like.

"The figures provided are initial allegations, most of which are finalised as unsubstantiated or are locally resolved directly with the complainant.

"By way of explanation, where any officer has three complaints or more made against him or her within 12 months, the matter is referred to the department or divisional commander for further action and assessment, where appropriate advice is given or misconduct action is taken.

"As we have said before, we encourage people to be open and honest with us about the way they've been dealt with."

The information supplied by Lincolnshire Police to the BBC said the complaints recording system highlights when an officer receives two complaints of the same nature or three complaints in a 12-month period.

Nationally, the figures show 2,073 police officers were subject to three or more complaints by members of the public in the last year.

Most complaints were about rudeness, assault or failure of duty.

Chairman of Lincolnshire Police Authority Barry Young said: "The authority does have oversight of such matters and on this occasion we do identify ourselves with and agree with Superintendent Wood."

Kate Solomon, 30, a mum from Lincoln, said: "Three complaints about the same officer seems pretty serious, but when dealing with the police, some people might be quite difficult to handle.