All Sussex Police officers are to wear uniform as part of a drive to increase the force's visibility.

The only officers allowed to wear plain clothes will be those on covert duties.

The move by Sussex Police Authority is certain to provoke criticism from many rank-and-file officers, especially detectives who insist CID work is easier to carry out when officers are in civilian clothes.

Det Chief Insp Vic Marshall, acting head of Brighton CID, said in August: "Many members of the public prefer being seen by plain-clothed officers at their homes.

"Some are worried about what the neighbours might say or think if they see uniformed police calling.

"And with serious crimes, the public relates better to officers in plain clothes.

"That is also the case with many criminals who prefer to talk to police dressed in civvies."

Following demands from Home Secretary David Blunkett, the Sussex authority has recommended that uniform should be worn by all officers, apart from those permanently on covert operations, unless there are valid reasons not to.

The recommendation has replaced the original suggestion by the Best Value Review team which was "to consider whether all officers in Sussex, with the exception of undercover officers, should be required to routinely wear police uniform. This includes CID officers and other investigators".

This was rejected by the Force Command Team.

A list of posts exempt from the recommendation will be drawn up and the responsibility for moving the scheme forward will lie with the Chief Constable.

Yesterday one senior detective said: "Seeing more officers in uniform is not a bad thing but I hope the new rule has flexibility and common sense built in."

Sussex has already implemented changes to raise visibility and provide greater assurance to the public. These include the use of mountain bikes in town and city centres and the wearing of fluorescent jackets.

The force is also considering bringing back police horses following a successful trial in Hove.

Plain police cars will carry magnetic Sussex Police crests which can be attached when officers are on non-covert inquiries.

Practices in the USA and Canada have been looked at with a view to using them in Sussex.

They include school liaison officers being posted outside schools when pupils are arriving and leaving.