Police in Worthing are sending letters to known criminals, telling them: "Give yourself up." The novel crackdown aims to bring bail-jumpers to justice.

Senior officers said it was a more efficient way of snaring them than sending officers to every address in town.

Chief Inspector Russ Whitfield, district commander of Worthing police, said: "What we are going to do is give people an opportunity to actually come in to us."

Each officer will be assigned a case and given the task of tracking the absconder down.

Inspector Steve Eldridge said there were outstanding arrest warrants for about 90 people in the Worthing area. They are charged with offences including theft, supplying drugs, breaching court orders and failing to appear at court.

Mr Eldridge said: "Every officer in the district, including the district commander, will be given responsibility for ensuring that each one of these individuals is arrested and brought before the courts.

"We have also sent a letter to them asking them to hand themselves in as it is likely that they may be arrested at a time that's not convenient for them.

"Police time and effort has gone into catching these people who do not turn up at court or breach their court orders. The police in Worthing are no longer going to tolerate this situation."

The letter states: "In the past we have not actively sought to trace those that are wanted on warrant. This is no longer the case. At this time you are being actively sought.

"An officer has been assigned to your case and will be making every effort to trace you.

"It is in your best interests to give yourself up at a police station, preferably between 8am and 10am, Monday to Friday."

Earlier this year Worthing was split into districts, each with a dedicated police team, in response to public appeals for more localised policing.