Sussex Police say they are setting the national standard on cutting the number of shots fired by police officers.

Home Office figures revealed guns were authorised for 248 operations by the force in 2001/02, compared to 353 in the previous year.

Two years ago, Home Secretary David Blunkett ordered a review of the use of armed police after 12 fatal shootings of members of the public in six years, including James Ashley.

Mr Ashley was naked when he was shot at his Sussex home in 1998.

Five officers were charged after the incident, including one for manslaughter. Four were tried but none convicted.

The affair ultimately led to the resignation of former chief constable Paul Whitehouse, on the orders of Mr Blunkett.

The Home Office also asked police to investigate the use of stun guns to incapacitate people as a "third way" between using batons and guns.

Sussex Police set up their own special working group, led by Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Williams, to come up with the best approach to armed operations.

Superintendent Steve O'Rourke said: "A number of initiatives, including the very successful gun amnesty, have developed from this group. The guidance on police firearms operations was revised in 2001."

A subsequent inspection drew "favourable comment" and Sussex was now one of the leading forces in England and Wales for good practice.

Mr O'Rourke said: "Most armed operations are completed safely, often without police firearms being shown at all.

"Sussex have a range of tactics, which ensure that, despite armed officers being used, the level of force applied is minimal and always proportionate to the threat posed."

During the same period covered by the armed operations survey, gun crime in Sussex increased by 58 per cent.

The Home Office confirmed police record-ed 155 firearms offences, up from 110 in the previous 12 months.

According to Friday's ministerial statement, Sussex also used armed response vehicles on fewer occasions in 2001/02 - 189 compared to 245 the previous year.

The number of authorised firearms officers was 120, up from 118.

Sussex Police said while the number of firearms incidents had increased, most did not require the deployment of armed police.