A new style of locally-based policing has been introduced in Worthing and surrounding towns and villages.

Police said the reorganisation was aimed at "re-engaging with the areas that officers serve, restoring confidence and increasing visibility in neighbourhoods".

Chief Inspector Russ Whitfield, district commander for Worthing, said: "This had to be done at no cost, taking the resources we had.

"Officers were working the old structure on February 23 and all their cars and equipment had to be realigned for February 24.

"About 500 officers are in the division, from Southwick to Chichester and Midhurst. We had to throw all of the equipment they needed in the air and it landed where we wanted it to.

"The pain has been quite huge, with officers not knowing where they are going to work. We are not a business that can shut down on Friday, we are a 24-hour operation.

"It's a real credit to the officers that the performance in Worthing has not been affected."

He said that now the police's divisions had been aligned with local authority boundaries, negotiations with councils would be less time-consuming.

Mr Whitfield, commenting on late- night problems with drunken youths in the town centre, said: "My philosophy is, if you have a badly policed town centre, resources are sucked into it.

"We want to ensure it is policed correctly so resources are not sucked in."

Detective Inspector Nigel Brown will be in charge of Worthing's own resurrected CID department.

He said: "We will be far more aware of the local quality-of-life issues in the town."

A police spokesman said: "People working and living in the area from Southwick to Chichester will see a more visible and locally-based service, which aims to provide the best possible policing to the community."

Four district commanders are now responsible for the policing of their districts: Adur, Worthing, Arun and Chichester, which together form West Downs Police Division.

Police will provide a 24-hour emergency response service in addition to targeted patrols to ensure they are in the right place at the right time to prevent crime and catch criminals.

Later in the year, the public opening hours of the police stations will be extended as a sign of the police's determination to be more accessible to the community they serve.

Each neighbourhood policing team will also be supported by locally-based detectives under the command of a detective inspector, a high-visibility police support team, licensing officer, crime prevention advisers and a school liaison officer.

District commanders will also be able to call on the support of specialist officers and equipment.

Now the police districts cover the same area as the local councils, it is hoped the police will be able to work together more effectively on crime-busting initiatives.

Chief Superintendent Graham Walter, who heads the West Downs Division, said: "We are changing the way we police the community of Sussex for the better.

"It gives us the opportunity to increase the number of officers on the frontline, with them being more visible, familiar and accountable locally.

"By providing an accessible police service, we enhance public reassurance, which is key to making our communities feel safer. Our commitment is clear - to deliver the local policing the people of Adur, Worthing, Arun and Chichester demand and deserve."

The district commanders are: Chichester - Acting Chief Inspector Brian Bracher, Arun - Chief Inspector Steve Whitton, Worthing - Chief Inspector Russ Whitfield and Adur - Chief Inspector Martin Walker.