FYLDE fraudsters could be fingered by the long arm of the law with a new scheme from Lancashire Constabulary.

As part of Operation Reassure, shops, restaurants, banks and building societies are being provided with specialist fingerprinting kits to help combat cheque and credit fraud.

Det Insp Keith Parker of from Headquarters Crime Reduction Unit said: ''The idea is very simple. Customers are asked to voluntarily leave their thumbprint on either their cheque or the store's copy of a credit card transaction slip using an inkless gel pad.

''Should the customer refuse to leave their fingerprint, this then gives the store the opportunity to ask for secondary identification. If the customer fails to do so the store can then choose to refuse the sale, thereby preventing a potential fraud.

''The scheme is not compulsory and there is no central database of fingerprints. The main principal behind the scheme is to deter would-be fraudsters from using stolen credit cards and cheque books, but should anyone commit an offence they will have left clues to identify behind for future evidence and investigation."

A thumbprint kit is being introduced to many of the retail outlets in Blackpool's Hounds Hill shopping centre with about 40 shops getting involved.

Officers are currently considering extending the initiative to some of the resort's hotels and petrol stations as well as other local retailers outside in the Fylde area.