MORE than 1,700 claims have been made against South Yorkshire Police over the last five years, new figures have revealed.
Figures obtained by Public Interest Lawyers found that 1,775 claims have been lodged against the force.
Claims are often put in against a police force if someone feels they have been mistreated or if they feel the police abused their position.
Examples of claims against the police include malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest, sexual misconduct, assault, traffic accidents and property damage.
In 2019/20 a total of 348 claims were made against the force, with 337 the year after and then 322 in 2021/22.
Since then the number had been on the rise.
In 2022/23 there were 368 claims and then over the latest 12-month period there were 400 - the most over the last five years.
Another reason for a claim against the police is sexual misconduct.
This has become the main source of complaints to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) - the UK police watchdog.
In a May 2022 report, the IOPC said it was ‘highly likely’ the scale of sexual misconduct within law enforcement ‘remains under-represented’, as not all victims report misconduct, with some fearing they won’t be believed.
Signs of inappropriate sexual behaviour by a police officer, such as private contact, nurturing dependence or being overly familiar, have all been grounds for victims to pursue a claim in the past.
The top five claim reasons against the South Yorkshire Police have been revealed based on figures gathered from the force.
Motor-based claims were the most logged, with 840, while over 400 property and public liability claims were also submitted.
This is followed by 163 claim on employment tribunal and 40 on employer liability.
JF Law solicitor Lucy Parker said: “The number of claims made against police forces in the UK shines a light on a crucial issue and highlights the importance of holding institutions accountable.
“Potential reasons to claim may include wrongful arrest, assault, malicious prosecution, or negligence however, it’s crucial to remember that each case is unique.
“Reasons such as property damage and forced entry by police, without lawful justification, are serious matters and can constitute a significant breach of an individual’s rights.
“If you believe the police have wronged you, it’s essential to seek legal advice promptly to understand your options and potential outcomes.”
