Chief Constable Ken Jones says Sussex Police has come a long way

November figures showed 111 crimes were being detected every day, he said in his end-of-year message.

In the last 10 years, only March 2004 produced a higher total. The detection rate for the last quarter of 2004 had risen to 26.3%, he added.

However, he warned 2005 would see difficult new targets in the areas of crime reduction and sick leave.

The new challenges were set in the National Policing Plan, Mr Jones told senior officers and managers.

Confidence and pride

"But let's hang on to how far we have come," he said.

The review also marks the end of Mr Jones's first three years as Chief Constable and he said that two of the key five-year aims he had set out as he took office had been achieved.

Through change, Sussex Police had "rediscovered its confidence and pride".

And the force had established itself as a national leader in the delivery of local policing.

"We are one of the best, if not the best, in the country," he said.

"Our neighbourhood policing represents real excellence in local policing."