POLICE watchdogs were meeting Sussex Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse in secret today in a gloves-off debate on the force's performance.

There is concern among some members of the Sussex Police Authority about the increasing crime rate and many are calling for a big increase in police numbers.

Some harangued the Chief Constable at the authority's meeting in December, saying they were constantly receiving complaints about lack of bobbies on the beat and at the front end of the service.

This afternoon's meeting at Pelham House in Lewes is the first of what will become a regular, private, face-to-face with the chief, to discuss initiatives, policy and problems.

There is no suggestion the chief has been summoned to account for the force's performance, rather to settle tension and to clear the air.

Today's discussions will include recently released Government statistics showing 134,894 offences recorded in Sussex during the year up to the end of September 1999, a 5.8 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

This works out at 8,999 offences per 100,000 of the county s population, lower than the average for England and Wales, 9,984 offences, but higher

than the average for non-metropolitan forces, 8,456.

Both neighbouring Kent and Hampshire fared better, seeing respective drops in crime of 4.6 per cent and 4.5 per cent. Sussex had 5,000 more crimes than Kent and Hampshire, and 2,000 more offences of violence.

But there have been suggestions Sussex is recording crimes more scrupulously than some other forces.

And the force is applying for an extra 200 officers, twice the usual annual intake, although the chief insists there is no evidence more offices will necessarily reduce crime.

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