Police officers in Sussex have to look after more than 600 people each, according to Government figures.

The county has 613 residents for every operational police officer, significantly more than the national average of 472.

The figures were revealed by Home Office minister John Denham.

Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper said: "These figures are a cause for concern. I do know from a meeting I had with Acting Chief Constable Maria Wallis that recruitment to Sussex Police is out-pacing the number of places available to Sussex in national training schemes.

"I know my constituents feel the greatest deterrent to crime is police officers on the beat in their areas.

"They also want those community beat officers to be allowed to stay in an area long enough to get to really know it so they know where the troublesome spots are.

"I am prepared to lobby in Parliament for more funding for additional officers for Sussex."

Norman Baker, MP for Lewes, said: "These figures just confirm what I have been saying for many years. We need more police officers in Sussex and more police officers on the beat.

"It is very difficult to deal with crime levels when there are insufficient levels of police officers and this is compounded by the fall in the number of special constables in Sussex.

"We want more police and the funding formula for Sussex Police should reflect that more than it does."

Police in West Mercia, in the West Midlands, have the stiffest task, with 684 people for every operational officer.

In London, there is one officer for every 325 members of the pubic, the country's lowest ratio.

The Government has promised to put more bobbies on the beat. Before the last General Election, Labour pledged an extra 6,000 recruits.

In the 12 months to March this year, the number of officers in Sussex increased by 33.

But statistics showed the total was still 230 fewer than in 1997.

Sussex Police refused to comment.