Police used anti-terrorism powers to search more than 2,500 people in a year in Sussex, the Home Office has revealed.

The figures show Sussex Police were among five forces to use the powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 most frequently.

A total of 2,648 searches of people or vehicles were carried out by the force on the county's streets during 2004-5.

The figures were revealed in a Commons written answer by Police Minister Tony McNulty.

Shadow minister for police reform Nick Herbert asked "how many searches of individuals and vehicles were conducted" by each force in England and Wales.

The figures showed a total of 35,752 searches were carried out under section 44 of the Act.