Crime in a seaside town has dropped by almost a quarter since police set up a new team for the area.

Offences are down 22.4 per cent in Littlehampton from 557 crimes to 432 between April 1 and July 31 compared to the same time last year.

There has been a 42.1 per cent cut in thefts from vehicles, shops and robberies, falling from 221 to 128 and police credit the nine-strong team led by Sergeant Ade Webb as being responsible for the drop.

Sgt Webb said the team had made good progress and aimed to get even better.

He paid tribute to his officers and said the Shopwatch radio scheme which links retailers to each other had also played a significant part.

He said: "It takes a different sort of police officer to work the town centre beat. They need to be people with time, patience and understanding to deal with the variety of personal, emotional and criminal issues arising in the town.

"I would like to think we have improved the public profile of the police by the increased presence in the town centre."