Sussex Police have managed to swell their ranks by a further 40 officers, figures revealed today.

The Home Office said the number of bobbies in the county stood at 2,933 in September last year, up from 2,893 in March 2002.

The 1.4 per cent increase was still below the 3.1 per cent hike across England and Wales as the force struggles to retain officers lured away by extra cash at the Met.

Home Secretary David Blunkett unveiled the figures as he prepared to launch the Government's flagship Anti-Social Behaviour Bill today.

This will give police powers to hand out on-the-spot fines of up to £80 for drunken behaviour, fly tipping, vandalism and illegal spray painting.

Mr Blunkett said police levels were now at their highest level since 1922.