Home -
Our work -
Research and statistics -
Police complaints statistics -
Police complaints statistics for England and Wales report - 2025/26 -
Table 18: Nature of allegations finalised under Schedule 3 by how they were handled in 2025/26

Table 18: Nature of allegations finalised under Schedule 3 by how they were handled in 2025/26

Allegation category	Allegation subcategory	Not investigated		Investigated		Total number of allegations finalised under Schedule 3
Allegation category	Allegation subcategory	N	% of total number finalised under Schedule 3	N	% of total number finalised under Schedule 3	Total number of allegations finalised under Schedule 3
Delivery of duties and service	Police action following contact	17,364	90	1,963	10	19,327
	Decisions	7,457	87	1,105	13	8,562
	General level of service	12,272	84	2,396	16	14,668
	Information	5,357	88	748	12	6,105
Police powers, policies and procedures	Stops, and stop and search	827	81	190	19	1,017
	Searches of premises and seizure of property	2,439	86	389	14	2,828
	Power to arrest and detain	4,083	83	835	17	4,918
	Detention in police custody	3,544	80	908	20	4,452
	Bail, identification and interview procedures	1,463	87	215	13	1,678
	Use of force	5,476	71	2,252	29	7,728
	Evidential procedures	2,060	84	394	16	2,454
	Out of court disposals	255	87	38	13	293
	Other policies and procedures	2,346	85	421	15	2,767
Handling of or damage to property/ premises	Handling of or damage to property/ premises	2,051	84	389	16	2,440
Access and/or disclosure of information	Use of police systems	119	52	111	48	230
	Disclosure of information	1,439	80	360	20	1,799
	Handling of information	388	80	95	20	483
	Accessing and handling of information from other sources	85	80	21	20	106
Use of police vehicles	Use of police vehicles	437	81	102	19	539
Discriminatory behaviour	Age	30	61	19	39	49
	Disability	712	81	163	19	875
	Gender reassignment	43	75	14	25	57
	Pregnancy and maternity	3	75	1	25	4
	Race	1,677	76	522	24	2,199
	Religion or belief	110	80	27	20	137
	Sex	534	80	135	20	669
	Sexual orientation	100	79	26	21	126
	Other	254	81	58	19	312
Abuse of position/ corruption	Abuse of position for financial purpose	24	51	23	49	47
	Abuse of position for sexual purpose	14	23	46	77	60
	Abuse of position for the purpose of pursuing an inappropriate emotional relationship	8	35	15	65	23
	Abuse of position for other purpose	243	65	132	35	375
	Obstruction of justice	440	72	172	28	612
	Organisational corruption	128	75	43	25	171
Individual behaviours	Unprofessional attitude and disrespect	2,951	82	661	18	3,612
	Lack of fairness and impartiality	1,793	84	338	16	2,131
	Overbearing or harassing behaviours	1,728	79	473	21	2,201
	Impolite language / tone	2,322	85	406	15	2,728
	Impolite and intolerant actions	1,489	84	286	16	1,775
Sexual conduct	Sexual assault	125	48	136	52	261
	Sexual harassment	11	35	20	65	31
	Other sexual conduct	23	45	28	55	51
Discreditable conduct	Discreditable conduct	357	42	498	58	855
Other	Other	622	82	136	18	758
Total allegations		85,203	83	17,310	17	102,513