A major policing shake-up to provide 24-hour patrols could be in place in the Worthing area within six months.

The revamp of Sussex Police's Highdown division, stretching from Littlehampton to Shoreham, is a response to public demands for better policing.

Chief Inspector Russ Whitfield, the new Worthing district commander, said previous arrangements meant police time was often wasted as officers travelled across the entire division.

This also led to ongoing local problems being shared among too many officers.

The shake-up, due next April, should allow more consistent policing with teams of officers being dedicated to one area.

Worthing will have some of the most dramatic changes with the town being split into two zones, north and south of the railway line.

Chief Inspector Whitfield said: "In the past, the drive for efficiency meant Sussex Police became fragmented.

"We have had a divisional patrol unit that swooped into areas to respond to calls.

"What that lacks is officers having ownership of longer-term problems. Although we have beat officers, they are only on duty eight hours a day - who deals with the problems on the beat when they are not on duty?

"In Worthing, there will be dedicated officers who will always be working here, together with the town's own CID encompassing one detective inspector, detective sergeants and a team of detective constables."

Inspector Allan Lowe will be in charge of the 24-hour patrols in the area south of the railway line, with Inspector Martin Pattenden running the north area.

Inspector Stephen Eldridge will be targeting the town's longer-term problems and taking control of any major incidents.

Stressing the need for change, Chief Insp Whitfield said: "The real benefit for me is we will have officers who know their public and public who know their officers."

A designated town centre team will patrol Worthing, targeting shoplifting, theft, forgery and criminal damage.

Chief Insp Whitfield added: "Officers will have responsibility for a specific area and the resources to do the job.

"This is a phenomenal change and will be incredibly rewarding for the force. We are trying to provide a better service and we will through this system."

Geraldine Lissenburg, Worthing's executive councillor for community development, thought the changes showed police were listening to the public.

Mrs Lissenburg, who chairs the town's Community Safety Partnership, said: "It sounds like they are trying to bring a greater presence on to the streets, which is high on the partnership's agenda."