Having been removed from the streets after it was decided their time was being wasted police patrols are back in Brighton and Hove.

Phil Mills talks to the head of the city's police about the shift in tactics and his desire to put the force back in touch with the community..

JUST one officer, positioned at the Clock Tower in Brighton, has shown what a dramatic impact police can have by doing very little.

A month ago there was an average of 128 non-emergency and 999 calls every week from the vicinity of the tower. The introduction on April 9 of an officer there 24 hours every day led to the number dropping instantly to two or three a week.

Shopkeepers have seen shoplifting and drunkenness vanish and customers who once thought of the city centre as a no-go area are coming back.

The mere presence of an officer has deterred villains, drinkers and troublemakers and made the public and shopkeepers feel safe again.

This switch in emphasis will not stop at the Clock Tower.

Chief Superintendent Doug Rattray, commander of the recently-amalgamated Brighton and Hove police division, has a host of ideas and plans designed to bring the police and public closer.

He said: "We are going to re-establish links with the community that have been lost.

"We want to build a better relationship, to get to know the public and for them to know us, to strengthen trust and respect.

"We recognise crime reduction is important but it is insufficient on its own. The community has to feel it is at one with the police.

"Policing in recent years has become increasingly complex because of competing priorities.

"Tackling crime has improved but a fundamental aspect of our work has been lost in the interim - our relationship with the community.

"As well as dealing with complex investigations we must also work on the ground, on the streets, with people who, on a daily basis, try to run businesses and work for a living and to deal with issues they have."

Mr Rattray's plans for reconnecting with the public include developing neighbourhood policing, with more high-visibility patrols in trouble hotspots.

Fewer officers will be in cars, which tend to distance them from the public. Instead, they will be on foot or on bicycles.

He said: "We will be increasing partnerships with the local authority, other agencies and, primarily, with the people of the city."

Improvements will be made to police station front offices to make them more user-friendly and officers will be expected to dress correctly at all times.

Mr Rattray has spotted the occasional sloppy approach to uniform, such as hats not being worn, and said it would stop.

Schools where a small number of students are involved in criminal activities will be targeted.

He said: "With the help of other agencies we will be putting more effort into solving problems in schools and diverting youngsters from crime."

Drunks and beggars on the streets will not just be moved on but will be offered advice on where to go for support and help.

Mr Rattray said: "Officers will be interventionists and make the streets their territory.

"They will not ignore beggars or drunks but will make a point of speaking to them, moving them on and, if necessary, arresting and charging them.

"It doesn't mean we will be unsympathetic to their plight and we firmly believe something should be done to help them. But we will not encourage them in this lifestyle."

The approach has already produced results.

High-profile patrols in St James's Street have led to arrests and a reduction in street problems.

One officer poured a man's alcohol down the drain when he ignored the ban on public drinking.

Shoppers burst into a spontaneous round of applause.

Mr Rattray said: "We are rolling up our sleeves and getting out on the streets to bring back a sense of safety for the public.

"That is what we are here for. That is our duty."