Sussex Police detectives are the first in Britain to wear New York-style jackets.

The first consignment arrived in Brighton and Hove yesterday and was immediately given the thumbs up from rank and file detectives who hope they will raise their profile on the streets.

Based on New York Police Department (NYPD) and FBI jackets, they carry shield-shape patches showing the force crest on the upper arms and on the front and back, in reflective material, are the words Sussex Police Detective.

The jackets have arrived after moves to copy New York's "zero-tolerance" policies towards crime in Sussex.

The force is focusing on quality-of-life issues, such as graffiti, vandalism and street hooligans, crimes that have dramatically fallen in New York.

Chief Constable Ken Jones has vowed to bolster the role of neighbourhood policing to tackle everyday street crimes.

Superintendent Dave Gaylor, who brought the jackets idea back with him from a visit to New York police, said: "The jackets will not be worn when detectives are engaged in discreet investigations but they will be ideal for house-to-house and scenes-of-crime inquiries.

"We want people in the street to see them so we can show there are more officers about than just uniformed officers."

The jackets, made by a Yorkshire company, are being tested by Brighton and Hove officers for effectiveness and durability.

If the pilot scheme is successful, all other detectives in the county will be issued with them.

Detective Constable Kate Witt, who tried one of the jackets, said: "They are a really good idea and will show the public there are a lot more of us officers around than they think.

"On top of everything else, I think they're rather stylish."