Handful blamed for city's crime

And the police know all their names, according to South-East Home Office director Hugh Marriage.

He said: "They keep an eye on them but what happens is they are arrested, put before the court and bailed. But that doesn't stop them committing crime.

"And if they go to prison they ultimately are released back into society.

"In Brighton, there are only about 30 or 40 people causing all the problems."

He said in small places, such as Steyning, the number could be as little as one and across the entire UK about 100,000 people commit half of all crimes.

One Sussex Police Authority member said the Brighton and Hove figures were daft.

He said: "That might represent the core of habitual criminals but there are many more than that in Brighton and Hove's population of 250,000.

"And that doesn't include the commuting drug dealers who travel into the city each day from London."

Chief Superintendent Paul Curtis, head of the city police, said: "There are between 30 and 40 prolific offenders at any one time.

"The individuals may change on a regular basis as some are arrested but we actively target them all."

Mr Marriage was speaking in Sussex as latest crime figures show the county to be one of the safest places in England and Wales.

Crime has dropped but so too have detections.

The figures show Sussex Police are bringing fewer villains to book.

One reason is the so-called "brain-drain" where experienced officers leave Sussex to earn more money in London.

Mr Marriage said: "It's a strain on all forces but particularly in Sussex, Surrey and the Thames Valley.

"It's inevitable but some officers have come back to Sussex anyway.

"Pay is important. No one would dispute that. The Met pay more and offer free travel.

"But what is also important is the overall package - how good a force it is to work in.

"If morale has gone up, as in Sussex Police, it will attract people back.

"Recruitment is not a problem but retention is.

"But many come back from London after a few years. The quality of work is better, as well as the quality of life."

Home Office figures released today show Sussex Police achieved a 3.1 per cent reduction in total crime, building on the 1.3 per cent reduction the previous year.

The Home Office named Chichester and Horsham as the best performing policing districts in the South-East.

Mr Marriage said: "The police work in Sussex is improving and Sussex maintains a good relationship with the local authorities and other partners.

"Sussex Police have increased their numbers, technology has improved and, under Chief Constable Ken Jones, partnership-working between police and the local authorities has made Sussex safer."

Mr Jones said: "Our new style of neighbourhood policing is bringing us closer to our local communities and hard-hitting initiatives such as Operation Resolve, which achieved more than 170 arrests in a week, show our determination to deal with those who try to commit crime."

Mark Dunn, chairman of the Sussex Police Authority, said: "These successive reductions are a testimony to the men and women of Sussex Police.

"I hope the public will take note of these figures and be reassured by them."

Record numbers of police are now employed in Sussex but criticisms continue that there are not enough bobbies on the beat.

Mr Marriage told The Argus: "Everybody cries out for more police officers. It's part of our culture.

"But there are more than ever before and more people in the extended police family, such as community support officers.

"We have also increased coverage of CCTV, which is the equivalent of fair and fearless patrolling, in an increasing number of townand village centres.

"People shouldn't really be looking at police response purely in terms of the numbers working.

"It should be the total - an intelligently-led police force which is up to strength, supported by officers, community support teams, CCTV, forensic back-up and civic support.

"That's what makes the police effective."