Sussex Police will be one of the first forces in the country ordered to make a written record every time they stop suspected criminals.

The news came as Home Office figures revealed the use of controversial "stop and search" powers in the county increased by 46 per cent last year.

This compared to an increase across England and Wales of only four per cent and means the power was used 15,242 times in Sussex in 2001/2.

An overwhelming majority of those stopped, 9,781 people, were white.

A total of 325 people were black, 281 Asian, 68 from other ethnic groups and 13 categorised as "not known".

Tony Toynton, Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable, was expected to explain the reasons for the increase later.

Home Office Minister John Denham, meanwhile, said Sussex would be one of seven forces in the country which would, from April next year, be asked to record every time it stopped a suspect rather than only when it subsequently searched them.

This was a key recommendation of the inquiry into the racist murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence.

Mr Denham said: "Research shows stop and search is a vital tool for officers when used in a targeted, intelligence-led way.

"The recording of all stops as well as searches, as set out in recommendation 61 of the Lawrence Inquiry Report, needs to be implemented in a way that is least inconvenient and time-consuming for both the police and individuals concerned."

Earlier this year, the Home Office announced anyone stopped by the police would get a written explanation.

The measures are designed to give police confidence to stop members of the public without being accused of racism but are expected to lead to extra red tape for officers.

Meanwhile, Mr Denham announced a new unit to investigate why ethnic minorities are more likely to be stopped and searched than whites.