Detectives across Sussex could be ordered back into uniform to increase police visibility.

Sussex Police Authority will be asked to consider the move in a bid to boost officers' presence on the streets.

Under the proposals, about 700 officers would switch from civilian clothes to uniform.

Exceptions would be made for detectives working undercover or carrying out surveillance.

Superintendent Jim Dale, who has drawn up the plan, said: "I think there's real merit in putting detectives in uniform.

"It's something we're actively looking at and will be making a recommendation to our police authority.

"I think we have to recognise the public want to see more officers on the street and if detectives are visible when they're out on inquiries that does provide reassurance."

He added: "Obviously not every officer would be wearing uniform as some of our operations would be compromised if they did."

The announcement comes just a week after the proposal was mooted by Home Secretary David Blunkett.

Detective Inspector Bill Warner, of Brighton CID, said: "There are merits in more uniformed police officers on the streets but I don't think putting detectives in uniform is the answer.

"The public expects serious crime to be investigated by CID officers wearing plain clothes.

"Some matters are sensitive and need to be treated in a sensitive way by non-uniformed officers."

Mr Warner suggested an alternative would be to equip officers with a jacket which could be worn on top of plain clothes when detectives were undertaking house-to-house inquiries or less sensitive investigations.

The move has met with criticism from John Stalker, the former deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester Police. He said: "This is an old idea which was discredited. It was a bad idea 20 years ago and is still a bad idea. All that will happen, I believe, is the crime detection rate falling and a public outcry.

"Of all the forces, Sussex are the last that should be trying this, as they have had problems recently and do not have a leader after the resignation of Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse."

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Superintendent Dale is leading a review team in Sussex which is making a series of proposals to increase police visibility and impact. The group met last week and one of these proposals concerned all police officers having uniforms unless there were good operational reasons not to.

"None of these proposals have yet been considered either by the force command team or the police authority. No decision will be made until the new Chief Constable is in post."

A spokeswoman for the Police Superintendents' Association said the matter would also be considered by other forces.