ROGUES GALLERY TO COMBAT CRIME

Suspect Identification and Recognition Database (SIRD) has the potential to hold thousands of images of those caught on CCTV committing crime, from shop lifting through to violent assaults.

Officers using laptop computers will work with local schools, probation and the prison service, to identify the people held on the database and bring them to justice.

It will also be accessible by all other police forces across the country.

Inspector James Asser, who has developed SIRD with the assistance of the Force IT department, said: 'This system has huge potential and we are very much looking forward to taking it into the local community and identifying those who are wanted for crimes.

'We have hundreds of images of young people committing crime and we want to go into local schools and speak to staff who may be able to identify them.'

Information can be given in confidence to the police, who will then make follow up enquiries.

SIRD, which has already been involved directly in the arrests of suspects, is unique to Sussex.

There are currently about 400 images on the system, but it is anticipated that about 1,000 a month will be put on it once it is fully operational.