Prisoners are to be released straight from cells into a residential estate after a policy U-turn by Sussex Police.

Former chief constable Paul Whitehouse pledged in 1996 that "prisoners would be taken home or back to where they were arrested" from a new custody suite that opens on Monday.

But the force has now confirmed many suspects arrested on suspicion of crimes and released without charge or freed on police bail would be let out of the block to make their own way home.

The change in policy caused anger among councillors near the block in Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton, who feel let down by what they see as a broken promise.

They believe the fear of crime will now be heightened in the neighbouring estates of Coldean and Patcham.

Sussex Police said there was no evidence building cell blocks in residential areas resulted in increased crime there but the force has promised to watch crime trends closely.

Assistant Chief Constable Tony Toynton said: "If there was an increase we would think again."

The first prisoners to be held at the suite at Sussex House, near Asda, are due on the eve of Tuesday's official opening.

The suite will replace old cells at John Street, Brighton, and will take prisoners from the city and some from Lewes and Burgess Hill.

Mr Toynton said he understood people's fears but violent or dangerous criminals would be transported securely and under guard to courts.

Vulnerable prisoners, young or elderly people and adults with physical or mental problems, would be transported back to their homes.

All others would have access to phones to call for taxis or to contact relatives for lifts.

He said there was a good bus and taxi service and the fact more police vehicles would be travelling to and from the site should reassure residents.

Mr Toynton said the force did look at hiring a firm to transport all prisoners but the cost was too high and using police to taxi people home would be a waste of resources.

Geoffrey Theobald, Tory city councillor for Patcham, said: "I feel let down. I supported the custody suite plan on the basis no prisoners would wander local streets." Mr Theobald, a member of the Sussex Police Authority, said he would urge the force to change its mind.

He said cells had been in the city for years and people moving there had to accept them but stated this development was different as the new cells had been parachuted into a residential area.

Mr Toynton said the building of new custody suites in Hastings and Crawley had not resulted in crimewaves in those areas and there was no evidence released prisoners committed crimes as they made their way home.

The block is part of a £90 million custody redevelopment programme to be carried out over 27 years to provide new centres in Chichester and Worthing, which are already open, Brighton and one in Eastbourne.

The Hollingbury suite has 32 cells, four detention rooms, an ID parade area and an instant fingerprint-checking system.

Mr Whitehouse said: "I might have changed my mind about the transport of prisoners had I still been there but I don't want to get involved."