The police watchdog has seen a 75% rise in complaints about rogue officers following the murder of Sarah Everard

THE police watchdog has been inundated with a 75 per cent rise in complaints about rogue officers following the murder of Sarah Everard.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct received 7,000 referrals from 43 forces in England and Wales last year.

Off-duty Met officer Wayne Couzens raped and murdered Sarah EverardCredit: PA

Sarah, 33, disappeared in March 2021 while walking in Clapham, south LondonCredit: PA Media

That compares with 4,000 a year before the Met officer was out of commission Wayne Couzens, 51, raped and murdered Sara, 33, in 2021.

The IOPC has the resources to deal with only 300 cases per year, so the vast majority are returned to individual police forces.

Meanwhile, it has asked government to increase disciplinary hearing powers so that unreliable officers can be excluded like doctors.

a Home office A spokesperson said: “The public has confidence in the police and we expect them to carry out their duties to the highest professional standards.

“We have taken steps to improve the culture within the force and raise standards across the board, including strengthening vetting standards and launching the Angiolini inquiry to uncover any systemic issues within the force.

“We are actively working with the IOPC on its funding needs to ensure it can fulfill its core functions.”