A new force of quasi-police officers will be taking to the streets of Sussex by the end of the week.

Twenty Community Support Officers (CSOs) will be on patrol the streets of Sussex after completing training in first aid, law, and conflict resolution.

CSOs will work alongside police officers to provide additional high-visibility patrols, liaising with community groups and providing reassurance.

Rebecca Eaton, Sussex Police Authority (SPA) spokeswoman, said: "They will help prevent crime by dealing with incidents before they become a police matter."

Sussex is one of 27 police forces to have been allocated cash for the new officers.

Funding is provided by the Home Office but Miss Eaton said CSOs were not a substitute for police officers, saying: "They are an additional resource."

West Downs and Brighton and Hove divisions have each been allocated five CSOs and North Downs, Senlac and East Downs will each have four.

The officers will have a range of powers to deal with low-level nuisance, including issuing fixed penalty notices for cycling on footpaths, dog fouling and littering, as well as confiscating alcohol and tobacco and removing abandoned vehicles.

Miss Eaton said: "They have limited powers compared to police officers but CSOs provide a visible and reassuring presence for the public and will help to develop strong working relationships within the community.

"They will also act as extra eyes and ears in the community and as local problem-solvers."

David Rogers, SPA chairman, said: "This is an excellent example of how the authority and Sussex Police are working together to promote community safety."

Chief Constable Ken Jones said: "CSOs will help provide us with added capacity to meet this demand and deliver a service our communities rightly expect."

CSO uniforms will be similar to regular police but will be clearly identifiable. They will have a reflective blue cap band, yellow and blue jacket and reflective labels.