Sussex Police officers could start wearing fluorescent yellow jackets to make them more visible on the streets.

Research has shown the traditional blue tunics are not bright enough and Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse is asking all divisional commanders to come up with ideas to make officers easier to spot.

It may mean plain-clothed detectives wearing uniforms when on non-covert duties and uniformed officers wearing bright-yellow fluorescent reflective jackets.

Another idea being proposed in Hove is putting some officers on horseback.

The effect will be to increase the visibility of police to deter and prevent crime and to provide more reassurance for the public.

The downside is that it will cost taxpayers more money.

Sussex Police Authority has approved a budget rise of more than twice the rate of inflation, with part of the extra funds going to make officers more visible.

The 6.5 per cent increase for local taxpayers, together with extra Government funds, will boost the force's spending by eight per cent to slightly less than £184 million.

It will mean that the force's share of the council tax burden for an average Band D property would go up from £55.53 to £59.13 for 2001-2002.

The authority heard how a study in Northumbria involved swamping a Metro station with uniformed officers. However, when the public was questioned, hardly anyone said they had noticed any officers.

One idea to increase visibility is already being proposed by the Hove-Shoreham police division.

It wants to buy two horses for mounted patrols through parks, along the seafront and to have them outside night-time trouble hot spots when people leave.

The public is demanding more visible policing and members of the authority agreed the majority of people would be prepared to pay more for it, in this case 7p per week for the average council taxpayer.

Authority chairman Margaret Johnson said: "We believe an extra 1p per day on the average tax bill is good value for money."

Mr Whitehouse said: "The new budget will enable us to continue our steady improvement in performance and also take steps to provide a more visible policing presence across Sussex."