A new anti-fraud scheme being launched at Oxford's Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley, Oxford, has been given the thumbs-up by police and traders.
The thumbprint scheme - where shoppers are asked to provide a print when they pay with cheques or credit cards - is designed to deter criminals from trying to impersonate cardholders.
Det Sgt Ian Holt, of the Thames Valley Police crime reduction unit, is pictured centre with Pc Val Smith and Pc Stuart Outram
It has been tested by a number of traders at the centre for the past month, with positive feedback, and was officially launched there on Friday.
It is now set to spread to stores throughout the city.
Det Sgt Ian Holt, of the Thames Valley Police crime reduction unit, said: "We hope the scheme will act as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
"However, the strength of the scheme is to say to offenders - don't bother coming to Templars Square in the first place."
Any retailers interested in the scheme are asked to contact the crime reduction office on 01865 335172/3.
**Picture: Jon Lewis
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