SICK crooks posing as wheelchair-bound invalids are getting away with shoplifting by preying on the reluctance and sympathy of staff not willing to accuse disabled shoppers.

Incidents have been reported across the county, with supermarkets throughout the borough being put on full alert about the scam, which usually involves one thief in a wheelchair with another pushing he or she along.

The first incident was reported in Colne earlier this year, with scores of new reports flooding into police stations across the North West.

Detective Sergeant Frank Anderson of Birkenhead Police, who is leading an operation to stop these shoplifting attacks, said the robbers prey on embarrassed shop staff.

He said: "Many staff are reluctant to approach disabled people and accuse them of shoplifting because they see the wheelchair and not the person.

"However, this is the ideal disguise for shoplifting because there are so many places thieves can hide goods.

"At the end of the day, would you suspect someone in a wheelchair of shoplifting?"

A spokeswoman for the Blackburn Disabled Persons Group hit out at the crooks, saying: "It certainly is something we are not happy about. It puts a very bad light on disabled people, and preys on the sympathy of other people.

"I am sure all disabled groups will share a similar view."

Security Manager at Blackburn's Asda superstore, Chris Jones, said it was a situation they were aware of.

He said: "We have videos of such incidents happening but it is very hard to detect."

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