Operations to arrest crime suspects based on DNA testing have boosted morale among Sussex police officers, the county's chief constable says.

Chief constable Paul Whitehouse, said: "Local commanders report that one effect was to give the divisions a real buzz.

"Morale was high, and now a second wave of operations is planned for the near future to ensure that this upbeat mood is maintained."

Hundreds of people have been arrested in recent weeks as police take advantage of the growing potential of DNA to detect crime.

Criminals may not always leave fingerprints behind but they often leave traces of skin, hair or saliva that can contain their unique DNA fingerprint.

Mr Whitehouse said the force had led the way in the use of DNA and, as a result, Sussex was likely to receive a greater share of Home Office funds from the DNA expansion programme than any comparable force.

He said: "The resulting challenge for divisions is to convert those forensic hits into successful detections and this has led to a number of important new local initiatives to ensure that we capitalise fully on the opportunities being provided by advancing technology."

One major DNA operation happened in Senlac division, which covers Hastings, Bexhill, Battle and Rye.

A total of 97 arrests were made for offences ranging from non-payment of fines to attempted murder during a five-day crackdown at the start of April. Large amounts of property and weapons, including pistols and a crossbow, were recovered.

In East Downs division, covering Eastbourne, Hailsham and Lewes, 184 suspects were brought in for a variety of offences.

In Brighton, a team of 12 officers has been set up under Operation Dante to concentrate solely on DNA hits and detections.

Mr Whitehouse said: "In the space of six weeks the team handled a total of 128 forensic investigations resulting in 83 detected crimes. A total of 17 people were on bail and seven wanted on warrant. There are 56 other investigations continuing with suspects being dealt with on a daily basis. Many of these relate to household burglary.

"It is clear key local criminals are being re-moved from the scene."

Mr Whitehouse said with the continued expansion of the DNA database and the advent of new forensic vehicle examiners on every police division in Sussex, "the prospects are for a sustained improvement in detection and prevention figures".

Graham Alexander, of the Sussex branch of the Police Federation, agreed arrests and convictions boosted morale.

He said: "It is like a doctor curing a patient - it gives them satisfaction from a job well done.

"But there are wider issues for a police officer to consider these days. Extra pressures and pay concerns are just two.

"These all have an influence on the overall morale of officers."