Sussex Police makes full use of modern computer equipment but not when officers are on patrol.

The antiquated radio system they use at present is so poor they sometimes get interference from France.

It may raise a smile that Sussex constables are sometime speaking to gendarmes or cabbies in Dieppe rather than colleagues.

But it is no laughing matter for officers trying to deal with crimes in which lost minutes or even seconds can be vital.

That is why it is good news that £2 million is being spent on a new system that should make communications much better.

It relies on modern mobile phone technology rather than radio frequencies, which can cause problems in parts of Sussex where steep hills block signals.

Looking ahead, the system could even be used for sending photographs, which could be useful for identifying suspects.

There are also huge advantages in being able to plug into the same system as the other emergency services use.

People who pay for the police want them to be around, preferably in their streets, providing a reassuring presence.

But it is much better when bobbies on the beat are also equipped with the latest technology to help them catch criminals.