panillo
10-05-07, 05:01 PM
When police launched a crackdown against shoplifters, they turned to a new breed of officer - a life-sized cardboard cut-out.
Thefts dropped from an average of 36 a month to just one after the replica of PC Bob Molloy was put up in shops in Belper, Derbyshire.
But just days after police chiefs trumpeted its effectiveness, PC Molloy has fallen victim to a revenge plot - by being stolen himself.
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10_01/2CardCopperRAY_468x664.jpg
The culprit, a man aged between 35 and 40, was captured on CCTV as he strolled out of Long Eatons Co-op supermarket with the cut-out tucked under his arm.
But PC Molloy had at least done his duty one last time - because the thief paid for his shopping before making off with him.
Inspector Andy Picken said: "We were using the cut-out as a way of engaging more with the local community, so the theft is a bit disappointing.
"But the project has not been hampered by this incident.
"We are pursuing lines of inquiry and hope to have some good news soon."
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10_01/1CardCopperRAY_468x288.jpg
The cut-out - featuring PC Molloy with arms folded and in full uniform, including helmet and fluorescent jacket - cost 100 to produce.
Heralding its effectiveness last week, Inspector Graham Lamin, of Belper police, said: "We have seen a real drop in shoplifting reports.
"The cut-out acts as a deterrent and frees up my officers to deal with more serious crimes."
The real PC Molloy, who spends his days on patrol, said: "At a glance, the cut-outs look very realistic.
"Just the other day someone told me they had said hello to me in a store, but I never replied to them."
A Co-op spokesman said: "We think this is likely to have been a prank."
Source (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=485201&in_page_id=1770)
Thefts dropped from an average of 36 a month to just one after the replica of PC Bob Molloy was put up in shops in Belper, Derbyshire.
But just days after police chiefs trumpeted its effectiveness, PC Molloy has fallen victim to a revenge plot - by being stolen himself.
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10_01/2CardCopperRAY_468x664.jpg
The culprit, a man aged between 35 and 40, was captured on CCTV as he strolled out of Long Eatons Co-op supermarket with the cut-out tucked under his arm.
But PC Molloy had at least done his duty one last time - because the thief paid for his shopping before making off with him.
Inspector Andy Picken said: "We were using the cut-out as a way of engaging more with the local community, so the theft is a bit disappointing.
"But the project has not been hampered by this incident.
"We are pursuing lines of inquiry and hope to have some good news soon."
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10_01/1CardCopperRAY_468x288.jpg
The cut-out - featuring PC Molloy with arms folded and in full uniform, including helmet and fluorescent jacket - cost 100 to produce.
Heralding its effectiveness last week, Inspector Graham Lamin, of Belper police, said: "We have seen a real drop in shoplifting reports.
"The cut-out acts as a deterrent and frees up my officers to deal with more serious crimes."
The real PC Molloy, who spends his days on patrol, said: "At a glance, the cut-outs look very realistic.
"Just the other day someone told me they had said hello to me in a store, but I never replied to them."
A Co-op spokesman said: "We think this is likely to have been a prank."
Source (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=485201&in_page_id=1770)