Sussex's 149 community support officers (CSO) are being offered extended powers as police brace themselves for the Christmas and new year revelries.

Chief Constable Ken Jones was given the option of allowing his CSOs to take on powers of detention.

Home Office minister Hazel Blears said CSOs would be allowed to detain suspects for up to 30 minutes, pending the arrival of a police constable, if they refused to provide their name and address.

She said: "Community support officers, in addition to record numbers of police officers, are a key part of the Government's strategy to tackle crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour.

"Giving them the power to detain suspects will make them even more effective in helping to build safe communities."

The Home Office vowed last month CSOs would be given additional powers and ministers have decided to award them before Christmas.

The announcement was made alongside the publication of a Home Office survey, which Ms Blears said showed public confidence in CSOs, despite a fierce party-political debate over their effectiveness.

The Home Office survey claimed the public had a "high level of satisfaction" with CSOs.

Ms Blears said: "The results of our evaluation of CSOs are very encouraging.

"It indicates CSOs are making a real difference to the communities they serve, helping in the fight against crime and freeing up police officer time."

But the Conservatives said there was no evidence CSOs were affecting crime levels.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: "The Government shouldn't be extending CSOs across the country when much of the research available so far suggests they are ineffective and confusing to the public."

CSOs can issue fixed penalty notices for dog fouling, littering, riding on footpaths, fly-tipping and graffiti.

They also have the power to confiscate alcohol and tobacco from youngsters.