One of Brighton and Hove's most popular police officers is leaving.

Chief Inspector Stuart Harrison, who helped launch permanent policing at the Clock Tower in Brighton, officers on buses and in-line skates for seafront patrols, is moving to Sussex Police headquarters in Lewes.

The force insists the transfer to a specialist role is a quasi- promotion that recognises his good work.

Mr Harrison declined to comment but Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, said: "Stuart organised a blitz on trouble on late-night buses and organised high-profile patrols in the streets.

"He has really pushed policing forward and it's a crying shame and a great loss."

Mr French has written to Chief Constable Ken Jones to express his concern and suggest Mr Harrison might have been moved for political reasons.

He wrote: "His departure leaves a huge gap and I know I speak on behalf of colleagues in the Hove Steering Group, the Brighton Centre Business Forum and the Chamber of Commerce in saying we believe a wrong decision has been made."

Superintendent Peter Coll, second-in-command in Brighton, said: "Stuart has mixed feelings about leaving and, while we will all be sorry to see him go, it is a great opportunity for him."