Police in Sussex will be allowed to strike deals for cheap meals from shops and restaurants to keep bobbies on the streets.

Home Secretary David Blunkett wants officers to spend more time in the community rather than inside police stations.

The idea flies in the face of Sussex Police policy, which strictly forbids officers from taking any kind of "freebies" from shops.

Former deputy chief constable Mark Jordan disciplined officers when it was revealed they were enjoying free burgers from McDonald's restaurants in Sussex. He said it "destroyed an officer's integrity."

Today, a force spokesman said they would wait to see the fine print of Mr Blunkett's latest idea before commenting.

Mr Blunkett believes the public would be reassured by the sight of police eating meals in local supermarkets and restaurants.

He is backing a request by rank-and-file officers for police chiefs to be allowed to negotiate cut-price food with retailers.

Many bobbies in Sussex have had their station canteens closed in recent years.

The Home Secretary said: "There is a great benefit to be gained from this approach in terms of enhancing police visibility and reducing the need for officers to return to the police station."

Mr Blunkett published his blueprint for delivering more front-line services at the same time as unveiling a 3.1 per cent increase in police numbers.

The latest figures show there were 129,603 officers in March this year, including a record 100,000 constables.

His figures suggest Sussex has struggled to recruit extra officers with only 38 extra bobbies appointed last year.

Mr Blunkett said the force had 2,893 officers in March this year, an increase of only 1.3 per cent, compared with a national increase of 3.1 per cent.