A SUFFOLK police sergeant dubbed 'Robocop' by colleagues has made more than 1,000 arrests in the past 18 months - making him Britain's most effective police officer.

A SUFFOLK police sergeant dubbed 'Robocop' by colleagues has made more than 1,000 arrests in the past 18 months - making him Britain's most effective police officer.

Sergeant Ali Livingstone, who works in Ipswich, made 524 arrests between April 2008 and March 2009, an amazing 2.2 arrests per working day.

Since January, Sgt Livingstone has already notched up 610 collars, making him the UK's policeman with the highest arrest rate.

If he reaches 800 arrests, which he is on target for, his arrest rate will shoot up to more than three-a-day.

The average arrest rate for officers in England and Wales is just nine a year, according to a report by the Institute of Public Policy Research.

Sgt Livingstone, a response officer for Suffolk Police, told respected industry magazine Police Review today that the key to arresting people was simply 'going out on the beat'.

Sgt Livingstone, 27, said: “The best advice I can give is to get to know the community. Talk to people like local authority CCTV operators, store detectives and others.

“All these people are the people who can provide you with help and information. Get to know criminals, even when you are not dealing with them.

“Take the time to go down to custody and talk to people. That can make a big difference, because you never know when your paths might cross again.

“And do not be afraid to talk to people - we are paid to be suspicious.'

He added: “Keep busy. It is very easy to stay in the office all day. But it is important to get out and about. If people need to contact you, they will.”

Sgt Livingstone, who received a Stars of Suffolk award and a Royal Humane Society gong after saving a suicidal man from jumping from a nine-storey car Ipswich park along with PC Ali Maidment in August 2008, also said 'getting in early to work' was a key part of his success.

He said: “I start most shifts an hour of so before I commence duty. This gives me a chance to research crimes and outstanding offenders and also get up to speed with what is going on.

“It is probably the most productive hour as it gives me a chance to get things organised and plan out the team's day as much as possible.

“I normally make one or two arrests every day, but on a busy day there will be eight or nine per shift. I do get to the end of the shift sometimes and wonder where the time has gone.”