A community group is calling on the Government to inject more cash into providing police cover for a Sussex town.

Worthing Police Community Forum wants to see more beat officers on patrol following a sharp increase in vandalism and crime.

The group wrote to Home Secretary Jack Straw in September outlining its concerns, but has had no response.

Chairman Bill Paine, who is angry at the lack of reply, has now written to Mr Straw again demanding an answer.

He said: "Quite honestly it's diabolical. The community forums were set up after the Brixton riots to give the public the ability to communicate with the police.

"We are saying there are not enough policemen in Sussex and something has got to be done to improve the situation.

"It's abysmal. We have less police per 1,000 head of the population than the majority of the country and while the police are doing as good a job as they can, if they don't have the numbers they can't perform.

In the letter he wrote: "The Worthing Forum greatly appreciates the efforts and dedication of the Sussex Police Force, but they cannot succeed in improving the situation with current levels of manpower.

"We believe that your failing to reply to our original letter highlights the lack of support in Government for effective policing which requires proper levels of response."

Mr Paine has also written to Worthing MPs Tim Loughton and Peter Bottomley for support as well as Sussex Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse.

The group's call has been welcomed by Worthing businesses and residents who claim the situation has got worse in the last year.

Recent problems have been caused by gangs of children terrorising residents in the Durrington area by vandalising gardens and breaking windows.

There have also been cases of graffiti, assaults and fights in the town centre, especially after pub and club closing times.

And thousands of pounds of damage was caused to three town centre shops targeted by arsonists last year.