Cut-out bobbies help reduce crime

Pc Bob Malloy is enjoying his new role

A cardboard cut-out of a Derbyshire policeman has surprised officers with its success in deterring crime.

Five of the plastic figures have been on display at petrol stations and shops in Heanor for the past nine months.

Police have said that the blown-up photographs of the officers have deterred shoplifters and people who drive off without paying for petrol.

Derbyshire Police are now considering putting together more cut-out officers, using new models and uniforms.

Drive-offs reduced

Bob Lee, crime reduction officer at Alfreton, has been impressed with the results of the photographs which he originally took.

"They have worked very well at petrol stations as there is a problem with drive-offs. This is where people drive into a petrol station, fill up with £30-40 of fuel and leave without paying.

"We would like to use this system again but maybe with a different officer or a new uniform to make sure people don't get too used to them, " he said.

Inspector Steve Hobbs, from Derbyshire Police, said the cardboard cut-outs were not a replacement for real police officers.

"It's an addition, a reminder and a deterrent but it is not a replacement for policing services," he said.

The figures cost about £100 to put together and police would like to use more of them.