MORE than £4,000 has been raised for charity by a policeman who accidentally deducted £1 from the pay packets of every member of Sussex Police.

The incident before Christmas caused a storm among some officers and support staff, with one calling it "inexcusable" and an "act of theft".

It led to a flood of letters, pro and con, to the Argus and to the Sussex Police magazine Patrol.

Det Chief Insp Dave Gaylor, the man who led the charity drive, apologised to all 4,500 staff but said today he was delighted with the £4,100 raised.

All staff were told they could have their £1 reimbursed but the vast majority were happy to give the money.

Some were away or on maternity leave at the time and Mr Gaylor said he reckoned about 200 asked for their money back.

Even Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse had £1 deducted and he too e-mailed staff with an apology.

Mr Gaylor said a breakdown in communications led to wages staff deducting the money from everyone's pay cheques.

He was checking with all staff whether they would agree to donate through their wages when he learned the deed had already been done.

He said: "When I got up from the floor after I was told, I immediately sent an e-mail and a big sorry to everyone.

"The whole idea was that it would be voluntary and there was no intention to take money without permission."

He said communication lines between him and wages officers at West Sussex County Council headquarters accidentally crossed, adding: "It was all my fault and I am sorry but I am glad the result showed there was overwhelming support for the charity drive."

The money raised will be divided between the Chestnut Tree campaign for a hospice for terminally-ill children in Durrington and James House in Burwash, which provides care for terminally-ill children in their homes.

Cheques will be presented in early March.

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