The head of Sussex Police has warned the possible war with Iraq could fan the flames of prejudice.

Chief Constable Ken Jones said the conflict would have repercussions for the force but insisted officers would rise to the challenge.

Mr Jones was speaking before Sussex Police Authority discuss his draft Local Policing Plan for 2003-4 today.

The document sets out how Sussex Police hopes to meet its targets for crime reduction, investigation and public reassurance in the year ahead.

However, Mr Jones warned it was hard to say what implications the war would have for the force and the population at large.

He said: "Beyond the force we also face challenges. We are likely to enter a conflict with Iraq.

"If that is the case then it is very difficult to predict what impact that will have on your police service.

"There are those, for example, who will seek to exploit the situation and fan the flames of prejudice. Others will protest, as is their democratic right.

"We will do our utmost to impartially police the outcomes of war - whatever they are."

In the Local Policing Plan, Mr Jones promises to always investigate racist or homophobic hate crime and to enhance training, equipment and staffing for dealing with internet paedophiles.

He also vows officers will "attend and investigate fully all domestic burglaries" and give extra support to individuals burgled more than once in a year.

Mr Jones said he welcomed extra investment in the force but said Sussex Police operates with one of the smallest numbers of officers, proportionately, in England.

He said: "I constantly remind myself, and our staff, that our funds often come from those least able to provide it.

"This places a great burden of trust upon me to make sure the money is spent wisely and produces real benefit."

The authority is meeting this afternoon in Chichester to decide whether to adopt his strategy.

Chairman David Rogers said: "We are committed to working in partnership with other agencies to tackle issues of crime and disorder, with the intention of making Sussex a safer place to live and work.

"This was Ken Jones' first full year as our Chief Constable. Members of the authority have been very impressed by his leadership skills and commitment to neighbourhood policing.

"We have warmly endorsed his review of Sussex Police, which will ensure more local policing capacity across Sussex."