Members of the public have plied police with gifts of beer and doughnuts to show their gratitude, force files have revealed.

The Scientologists gave one officer a basket of fruit while a PC was given a bottle of brandy by the nation of Kazakhstan.

The register of the gifts and hospitality offered to rank-and-file Sussex Police officers between July and September shows food, alcohol and complimentary tickets featured heavily among donations.

Most were thank-you presents, while many were accepted on the grounds that it would be rude not to say yes.

Officers and staff are obliged to get permission before accepting gifts to avoid conflicts of interest.

One detective was spoken to by a superintendent because he accepted a £2 chorizo sausage from a member of the public and ate it without getting authorisation from a senior officer.

Authorised gifts included boxes of chocolates in several cases.

PC Sean McDonald, who acts as a liaison between Sussex Police and groups planning protests, was allowed to accept a basket of fruit and food worth £30 from the Citizens Commission on Human Rights - an organisation founded by the Church of Scientology.

The group had marched through Brighton and Hove on June 28 to protest against a psychiatry convention at the Brighton Hilton Metropole hotel.

Traffic officer Inspector Andy Judson accepted £30 tickets from Goodwood Festival of Speed from car manufacturer Hyundai.

Polegate Playscheme gave four cans of beer to three police officers on July 27 while earlier that month a West Sussex PC accepted a KFC voucher from a member of the public as a thank-you for good work.

When extra police patrols were put on during the London riots in August, neighbourhood officers in Hastings were given two trays of doughnuts.

A technical officer accepted a 25g pouch of Golden Virginia rolling tobacco and a PC accepted an orchid from another member of the public.

Some departments received no gifts at all, including the facilities and communications departments.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “Officers can sometimes be offered gifts or hospitality, usually for the exceptional service they have given.

“In deciding whether or not to accept these, consideration is given to the benefit of maintaining good relationships with people, learning from others and playing a full part in the local community.

“We will always decline any gift or invitation if there is a perceived conflict of interest.”