Hundreds of hardened criminals are skipping bail and going on the run, The Argus can reveal.

Since April 2005, 1,382 criminals have failed to turn up to court hearings in East Sussex.

Many of them, including those charged with violent and sexual attacks, managed to evade capture for weeks or even months.

As of April 2007, 30 bail absconders were still at large in the county with the figures in West Sussex understood to be the same or even higher.

MPs claimed bail jumpers were causing a massive headache for the police and called for the formation of a dedicated force to tackle criminals on the run.

Lewes MP Norman Baker, who uncovered the figures under Freedom of Information laws, said: "The fear of crime is very real for many local people in our community so it is very worrying that so many people, particularly those wanted for more serious offences, are skipping bail and are not turning up for court appearances.

"Quite apart from the fact that skipping bail is a serious offence it is also often very distressing for innocent victims and witnesses of crimes who have themselves taken time to attend court and testify.

"The police in East Sussex are doing an excellent job to execute any warrants for non-appearances they receive but they would clearly benefit from better resourcing from the Government to make sure as many bail absconders are apprehended as soon as possible after missed court appearances.

"This is another reason why the Government should constructively tackle crime by investing in our police forces rather than wasting millions on ID cards."

Of the 1,382 bail jumpers in East Sussex, 306 were charged with violent or sexual offences. Six of those still on the run are charged with violent crimes and sexual offences.

Earlier this week The Argus revealed that across Sussex 32 sex attackers are on the run after being given bail.

It led Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert to call for tougher penalties for bail jumpers and said a privatised force should be set up dedicated to tracking criminals on the run.

He said: "Itís totally unacceptable that people who have committed serious offences should be at large.

"I have proposed that separate bail companies should be employed to track down people who have jumped bail and relieve police of that burden. "I think this would reduce the numbers of people skipping bail."

A spokesman for Victim Support in Sussex said: "It causes great heartache for victims to know their assailants have their liberty."

A warrant enforcement bureau has been set up by Sussex Police in Worthing as part of its bid to track down offenders on the run.

Superintendent Graham Bartlett, of Brighton and Hove division of Sussex Police, said "All the people who fail to answer bail are brought to the attention of duty command in 24 hours and specific action is taken for them to be arrested."

How do you think we should keep track of people on bail? Leave your comments below.