A police officer has been charged with theft.

Warren Downs, 46, a sergeant based in the Rye neighbourhood policing team has been charged with five counts of theft, one count of fraud by false representation and one count of criminal damage.

All charges relate to items of police property.

He was arrested in March by detectives from Sussex Police's Professional Standards Department.

He is currently on bail and will attend Crawley Magistrates' Court on August 17.

Sgt Downs has been suspended on full pay while the case is processed through the courts.