Sussex pubs and clubs may have to shut their doors during the Olympics because of a walkout by bouncers.

Police believe many security staff from Sussex will abandon their posts at short notice to head to London to take up lucrative contracts there during the Games this summer.

Officers think that would leave some venues in the county without enough staff to meet the terms of their licences.

Now they have warned pubs and clubs if they do not get cover for any staff that leave they will shut them down.

Pubs themselves are appealing for police to show “understanding” if security guards suddenly leave.

The Olympics are expected to create 25,000 security roles in London.

Sussex Police invited licensees to a meeting at the force’s Slaugham Manor conference centre last month to point out that licence conditions must be stuck to regardless of the Olympics.

Jean Irving, the force’s licensing and public safety manager, said: “There is a kudos to working for the Olympics.

“We told security companies and licensees they need to make sure they are not going to be losing staff.

“If you have on your licence a condition which requires you to have door staff you are committing an offence under the Licensing Act if you haven’t got them which is punishable by six months in prison or a £20,000 fine, or your premises could be closed under emergency police powers.”

She said the turnout from those of the 6,850 licensed premises in the county who were invited to the event by police was “disappointing”.

Police have already received more than 100 applications, called temporary event notices, to hold one-off parties during the Olympics.

Officers are hoping new powers will be in place by then to require some of those parties to have door staff as well, if there is a risk of crime.

Publicans themselves are asking for flexibility from police if security staff desert the county.

Nick Griffin, spokesman for the Brighton and Hove Licensees Association and boss of Pleisure Group pubs, said he had not been contacted about the issue.

He said: “I am sure most licensees would be using reputable security companies and would hope not to be let down by them.

“We would urge the police to show understanding though. ‘Help, not hindrance’ should be the mantra.

“Perhaps the police would be better placed engaging with the companies that provide the security for venues throughout the city, encouraging planning and awareness, rather than issuing veiled threats to those unfortunately caught up in a situation not of their making.”