The aim of this work is to study the capacity of the uvby H_{beta}_ system for detecting the chemically peculiar (CP) stars based on the effect that peculiar features in the flux distribution have on all the Stroemgren-Crawford indices. Our study focuses on the classical magnetic peculiar stars (CP2), though Am star s (CP1) are also included for comparison with cool CP2 stars. Satisfactory results were obtained for hot CP2 stars: the definition of a new index p, which is a linear combination of uvby H_{beta}_ colours, allowed us to separate a high percentage of hot CP2 stars from normal stars. According to this new index, 60 new CP2 candidates are proposed. The working sample was extracted from The General Catalogue of Ap and Am stars by Renson et al. (1991, Cat. <III/162>). Photometric observations to enlarge the sample of CP2 stars with complete uvby H_{beta}_ photometry were carried out. These observations are also reported in the present paper. The new index p is also used to correct the reddening of early CP2 stars computed as if they were normal stars.