MORRISONS is offering customers £500 to help catch shoplifters in their Blackburn store.

The supermarket also has a new ‘officer’ stationed in store – in the form of a life-size cardboard cut-out at one of the entrances – as seen in these pictures taken by a shopper.

There are more than 40 CCTV cameras with security guards keeping check on all areas of the store.

Bosses have placed prominent signs warning shoplifters that they will prosecuted and that the store will make sure they recover any losses.

Shoppers are also being urged to shop a shoplifter by calling a confidential hotline.

A sign in store reads: “If you have any information regarding a crime in your Morrisons stores then please call our confidential hotline.

“Images of shoplifters may be issued to the police, published in the press, social media and on TV.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Stores within the East Lancashire area, also part of the Bradford-based chain, have reported problems with organised shoplifters recently.

One 21-year-old from Romania was jailed last month by Blackburn magistrates for stealing bottles of spirits from their Nelson branch.

Sebastian Banu was said to be part of a criminal gang which had previously struck in Nottinghamshire.

And two years ago Morrisons store in Bacup had the worst shoplifting record in Rossendale, according to a Freedom of Information Act investigation.

The supermarket chain has not gone as far as one of its cut-price competitors though.

Home Bargains stores have frequently posted pictures of alleged thieves in their front windows.

To shop a Morrisons shoplifter call 03300 412444.