A new partnership between police and lawyers in Eastbourne promises swifter justice for criminals and a better service for victims.

Police staff from Eastbourne and Hastings will be based under one roof in Eastbourne with the lawyers and caseworkers.

Both Sussex Police and prosecutors believe housing them together will help cut bureaucracy and wasted time.

Case papers, which sometimes take days to move between Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offices and police stations, will now be handed over in seconds.

Victims and witnesses will no longer suffer unnecessary delays and will be informed of court dates directly they are fixed.

The force and the CPS say the new criminal justice unit in Eastbourne will help forge better links.

A unit already operates from John Street police station in Brighton, headed by Superintendent Dave Gaylor.

Officials say there has been an immediate improvement in communications and a more streamlined system leading to better-quality prosecutions.

The new unit, to be officially opened on February 10, will be the first one in Sussex to operate from CPS premises in St Leonards Road, Eastbourne.

Nigel Knight, CPS head of the unit, said: "This is the first Sussex unit on CPS premises.

"It is a unique opportunity to improve the service which the CPS and the police provides to East Sussex, particularly to victims and witnesses.

"A closer working relationship between CPS and police lawyers will lead to speedier legal advice and the savings can be focused on more serious and complex cases."