Sussex Police are leading the way in using special powers to limit the movements of serious sex offenders.

A new Home Office report reveals seven people in the county were made the subject of Sex Offender Orders in the first 16 months after their introduction.

That figure, for the period between December 1998 and March 2001, is the second highest in the country behind the Lancashire force.

The new legislation can be used to restrict the movements of previous offenders who are deemed a risk.

The orders are designed to ensure people with convictions for serious offences do not commit fresh crimes.

Breaches allow police to take action and punishment can be up to five years in jail.

Detective Superintendant Alan Ladley, of Sussex Police, said he was proud so many of the orders had been imposed in the county.

He said: "We have been proactive in using this legislation.

"We see it as a very useful, preventative tool.

"I would stress the number we have obtained is not an indication of the number of sex offenders in the area or the level of risk, it is a tool available to us."

The orders have been placed on different types of offenders in Sussex, including paedophiles.

At present the orders are granted by courts and apply only to certain areas.

They cannot be used to limit a potential offender's movements nationwide.