Police force's £1 million compensation bill

In the last decade 528 payments worth £1,019,080 have been dished out following court claims for unlawful arrest, negligence and racial discrimination at the hands of officers.

Members of the public have received large payouts after being bitten by police dogs, being falsely imprisoned or becoming the victim of malicious prosecution.

In one single year, 2004, the force had to pay out almost £250,000 with more than £150,000 of that going to victims of "personal injury".

The total includes what is thought to be single highest ever one-off compensation payment made to an individual in the UK.

A youth received £42,500 earlier this year, five years after he was bitten by a police dog while fleeing from officers.

The animal, Bruce, was also put down, sparking uproar among animal lovers, who argued he was only doing his job.

Sussex Police pointed to the fact that there is just one complaint per 1,000 incidents and fewer than ten per cent of all complaints lead to civil court compensation payouts.

A spokesman said: "When you consider that it's in the nature of police work that we are often dealing with people in conflict situations and at times when emotions may be running high, you may think that these numbers are remarkably small.

"We have a small civil claims unit based at headquarters (in Lewes) that seeks to ensure that any claims made against the chief constable are dealt with fairly and professionally, but that the public purse is also protected from disproportionate and unreasonable claims."

A spokesman for the force also said it made no difference whether the person complaining was a convicted criminal or not and that every claim is treated in exactly the same way.

Victims groups believe the compensation is justified. A spokesman for Victim Support in Sussex said: "Where there has been a proven case of wrong doing among the police then it is right that victims receive compensation, and that can include, where suitable, large payments."