Youcan never see a copper when you want one. That's been a familiar cry in many parts of Sussex as policemen and women have increasingly become office-bound.

It has been hard even to get access to police stations when some have closed down and others are open only at limited times.

All that is going to change under a welcome new plan being put forward by new Chief Constable Ken Jones and endorsed by Sussex Police Authority.

He says localised policing will be the bedrock of the force in Sussex and police stations will be much easier to access.

Mr Jones is also a firm advocate of "broken windows" policing which means that if you tackle minor crime rigorously, it helps prevent major crime.

All this should help to improve public confidence and will be highly welcome if the police can deliver.

But people should not be seduced into believing the old fashioned bobby on the beat is the solution to every problem.

Today's officers also need the sophisticated back-up provided by squad cars, the police helicopter and new technology at police stations.