The number of complaints against Sussex Police has fallen dramatically - but the overall figure may never be known.

The force has changed its system for recording complaints and many minor moans are dealt with informally instead of being written down.

The force found it was out of step with other forces with its scrupulous system of registering every complaint.

Some are now dealt with by informal apologies or discussions with the complainants.

Only the more serious criticisms and accusations are recorded.

The Sussex Police Authority complaints committee was meeting today to discuss the figures, which showed a 78 per cent fall in complaints during the final quarter of last year.

There were 110 compared to 493 in the same period the previous year.

The fall was much higher than the force's prediction of a 30 per cent reduction.

Committee chairman Margery Turner said: "We are pleased to see the drop in the number of complaints.

"In the past we had concerns because of the variations in recording practices between forces.

"I am pleased the force has changed the way it records complaints which will reflect the practice of other forces.

"It will enable us to make comparisons which will give us a clearer picture on what areas we need to concentrate on in the future."

Earlier this month we revealed how complaints upheld against the force had jumped by almost 140 per cent in five years.

The number made had risen by more than 100 per cent in the same period, leaving the force with one of the worst records in England and Wales.

Sussex is battling to repair its reputation in the wake of the James Ashley killing.

Mr Ashley, 39, died after being shot in an ill-fated police raid on his flat in St Leonards in 1998.