Chief Constable Ken Jones is to be congratulated on his plans announced in Policing Sussex and on the fact he has carried out such a wide-ranging review in the comparatively short time he has been in charge.

Clearly, he is limited in what he can achieve by personnel availability. The publication did not state how far the fundamentals are undermined by established procedures or legal requirements.

We read and hear generally that police officers are overwhelmed by paperwork or lose time attending court as witnesses.

Both these shortcomings seem easily surmountable, perhaps requiring changes to the law or, in the latter case, the co-operation of magistrates and lawyers.

As an aside, why do magistrates - who comprise the largest body without direct financial interest - not strive for the sorely needed improvements in court procedures but seem over-keen on remand and delay?

As regards the professional legal actions, I am sure readers will form their own opinions.

If reforms cannot be initiated within the system, organised public pressure may initiate change and the next issue of Policing Sussex should be open and specific on every one of the problems that restrict the Chief Constable.

Councillor David Rogers and members of the Sussex Police Authority should wake up to these matters.

-A West, Woodland Way, Brighton