SUSSEX Police want to know how the public thinks the force should tackle crime in the future.

In the second of its newly formed People’s Voice surveys, it is asking for views on its plan for neighbourhood policing in 2020.

The force said it needs to change the way it acts now for the future because of “shifting challenges” and “greater public scrutiny”.

Participants will be asked which crimes they think are a growing problem and what they fear could be the biggest threats in future.

Police also want to know how they can best interact with the public, how they should be responding to incidents and how those reporting crime would want to contact officers.

It comes as the results of the first survey were published.

Respondents claimed crime and antisocial behaviour is more of the problem now than a year ago and many said they now saw fewer officers out on the beat.

More than 1,000 people took part. Some 51 per cent were satisfied with their neighbourhood police team and 44 per cent would speak highly of them.

In November councillors raised fears of growing antisocial behaviour since the role of the bobby on the beat was changed.

They called for a re-think to the plans introduced in July last year which meant PCSOs predominantly office-based and working in groups.

Rather than attempting to patrol every area of Sussex, the force said it now assigns officers to neighbourhoods so they can police the county “more efficiently” and cut costs.

The plan claims public safety is still a priority. It is behind the move to offer more information and allow people to report crime online. It means officers given better mobile phones so they can work while on the move.

The force said this means officers can focus on crime hotspots, will be trained in more specialist areas and victims and witnesses will have one officer dedicated to their case.

Superintendent Steve Curry appealed for people from a range of backgrounds to take part in the survey so the responses reflected all parts of the county.

Anyone who lives in Sussex can sign up for free to give their views on policing. The latest questionnaire must be completed by Sunday.

Sign up at sussex.police.uk/contact-us/make-a-complaint-or-give-us-feedback/sussex-police-peoples-voice