A BID to catch a persistent shoplifter has seen police release this image.

They believe the woman pictured below could hold vital clues about a string of thefts in Darwen, Rishton and Accrington.

PC Rachel Verdonkschot, from Lancashire Police’s eastern division planned response team, said she needed the public’s help to try to trace the woman.

In one haul, two boxes of Ferrero Rocher chocolates and three bottles of wine, totalling £39, were taken from the One Stop Shop, in Blackburn Road, Accrington, on November 23.

On November 18, two lamb joints to the value of £24 were swiped from the Co-op, in High Street, Rishton.

And just days before, boxes of Persil washing powder and Bold Ariel gel were snatched from the Co-op, Commercial Street, Blackburn, in two separate attacks.

PC Verdonkschot said the images had been circulated around police officers, but so far, nobody had been able to identify her.

She said: “We really need the public’s help. These thefts take up a lot of our resources and time.

“We get so many calls about thefts and shoplifting and regardless of the amount involved, it could be a £1 bottle of pop or £500 worth of designer clothing, the length of time it takes to investigate is exactly the same.”

The woman was described as being aged 30 to 40, slim, with brown hair.

PC Verdonkschot said she had been seen carrying a distinctive blue-green bag.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.