Sussex towns and cities are to have a greater say in how their communities are policed.

Ken Bodfish, Brighton and Hove City Council leader and member of the Sussex Police Authority (SPA), believes closer ties would be enhanced if proposals to merge Sussex with neighbouring forces go ahead.

Sussex has been tipped to merge with Surrey and possibly Kent.

A policing review by HM Inspector of Constabulary Denis O'Connor recommended a standard police force size of about 4,000 officers.

Sussex's 3,094 officers falls short of Mr O'Connor's 4,000 target. Surrey has 1,959 officers, Kent 3,630 and Hampshire 3,804.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke supports plans which would save money by merging force headquarters' staff.

No compulsory redundancies are likely and any support staff cuts would be made through natural wastage.

Money would be saved by better use of specialised teams, such as Sussex's Major Crime Branch, which handles murders, forces' aircraft and Sussex's acclaimed computer investigation unit.

Residents too will benefit, according to Coun Bodfish.

Strong ties have been built between the city council and Brighton and Hove police and he foresees similar "co-terminosity" between local councils and all divisional forces.

Sussex Police recently unveiled a new, larger police division covering all of East Sussex and a similar division is expected to swallow up smaller divisions for West Sussex.

But towns and cities across the county should enjoy closer links and a greater say, Coun Bodfish said.

He added: "Sussex Police headquarters in Lewes are already seen as remote for city residents. John Street is our police headquarters."

The SPA is to discuss its response to the proposals when it meets on October 20.

Authority chairman Peter Jones said: "The report concluded that some reorganisation of forces is necessary in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness, based on an assessment of the ability of forces individually to provide the whole range of services on which modern policing depends.

"Some reorganisation may indeed be necessary but what form this takes should depend on local circumstances and take into account the views of local people. We shall be examining the proposals carefully and letting the Home Secretary have our response by Christmas, as requested."