Of all the forces, Sussex are the last that should be trying this, as they have had problems recently

John Stalker, former deputy chief constable, Greater Manchester Police

Under the proposals for the Sussex force, about 700 officers, including detectives, would switch from civilian clothes and go back to wearing uniform.

Exceptions would be made for detectives working under cover or carrying out surveillance.

Superintendent Jim Dale, who has drawn up the Sussex Police plan, told BBC Radio Five Live: "I think there's real merit in putting detectives in uniform.

"It's something we're actively looking at and will be making a recommendation to our police authority.

"I think we have to recognise that the public want to see more officers on the street and if detectives are visible when they're out on inquiries that does provide reassurance."

Not every officer would be ordered to wear uniform under the policy, since certain police operations could be compromised.

Officers used to being undercover could reach for the helmet again

The move is expected to meet considerable resistance, as plain-clothes work is regarded as vital.

It is also seen by some officers as a sign of status.

John Stalker, the former deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, told BBC Radio Five Live: "This is an old idea which was discredited. It was a bad idea 20 years ago and is still a bad idea.

"It will not work as a police force is made up of different specialists. It is ludicrous to try and make everyone the same.

"All that will happen, I believe, is the crime detection rate falling and a public outcry."

He added: "Of all the forces, Sussex are the last that should be trying this, as they have had problems recently and do not have a leader after the resignation of Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse."

Mr Whitehouse left the force after a bungled raid in which a naked and unarmed man was shot dead in his own bedroom.

Lone patrols

The new measures to increase police visibility were put to the Home Office in a report by the Police Superintendents' Association.

A spokeswoman said: "Ideally we want more officers on the street, but we have to work with what we have got.

"We feel where possible officers should patrol alone rather than in pairs and where possible detectives should wear uniforms to increase visibility.

"We also want to get away from the cultural stigma of `being in uniform'. The ranks of PC and DC are the same and equally valued."