SUSSEX Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse has apologised to all 4,500 officers and support staff for a mistake which resulted in

£1 being docked from their pay.

The Argus reported last week how a plea by a senior detective for donations to charity through staff pay went wrong when a breakdown in communications resulted in wages staff taking the cash from everyone.

Det Chief Insp Dave Gaylor, the officer who launched the charity drive, has apologised and reassured staff that action has been taken to prevent it happening again.

He said no money will be forwarded to the charities involved until every member of staff not wishing to contribute has requested a refund and has been paid.

Mr Whitehouse this week e-mailed staff apologising for the error and saying how embarrassed Mr Gaylor was over the affair.

Mr Gaylor is raising cash for the Chesnut Tree campaign for a hospice for terminally ill children.

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