LOCAL businesses are supporting a new police initiative aimed at cutting down on credit card and cheque fraud in Preston's shopping centre.

The scheme, nicknamed Thumbprint, has supplied local shops, restaurants, banks and building societies with specialist equipment to allow staff to take customer's fingerprints as an added security measure.

Customers are asked to voluntarily leave their thumbprint on either their cheque or the store's copy of a credit card transaction slip. The businesses will have been supplied by the Police with a special inkless gel pad to use.

If a customer refuses, the shop can then ask for further identification, or ultimately refuse the sale. If it is later found that fraud has been committed, the bussiness will have a vital clue to help Police identify the culprit.

Police spokesman PC Andy Halsall said: "There are obviously reservations because it is a new scheme, but ultimately it is for the customers benefit, and they would want every measure to be taken."

PC Halsall explained how the scheme is already used in 17 other areas, with a hundred percent success rate.

More than 20 popular stores in Preston have already signed up to the scheme, including Debenhams, JD Sports, Woolworths and the Halifax. Fishergate and St George's shopping centres are also involved with the operation, and the Market Street Post Office has given its support.

Julia Horn, Chamber of Trade General Manager, said: "As far as the shops go it is early days yet, but the Chamber of Trade supports any initiative from the town centre and Police to help combat fraud."