Sussex Police will be able to bring in extra reinforcements if another Fatboy Slim-type event attracts more people than expected.

The beach party in July swamped Brighton with 250,000 and only a small number of officers were on duty to cope.

They had to ignore minor crimes and concentrate on public safety.

The force will, in future, be able to muster larger numbers at short notice from all parts of the county with a proprosed change in shift patterns.

The new work pattern is designed to ensure the maximum number of officers are on duty when demand is at its greatest.

Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo said it would allow the force to mobilise more effectively.