THE thin blue line has just got thinner. Derbyshire police yesterday unveiled their latest recruits - a flimsy cardboard cut-out of one of its serving policewomen - Buxton Pc Anna Gaskell.

And while it may be more billboard than The Bill, officers believe the life-size image will cut down on shoplifting in High Peak towns including Glossop.

A total of ten full-colour cut-outs have been made of the 5ft 3in officer sporting a fluorescent jacket, police hat and radio. The cardboard clones cost £100 each to produce.

Pc Gaskell, 25, said: "I went to pick up the cut-outs the other day and it was a bit weird. "They're very realistic and looking at ten of me was surreal."

Police chiefs say such tactics have already cut crime in other areas of the county.

In Belper, near Nottingham, a replica of Pc Bob Molloy reduced shoplifting in one store from 36 a month to just one, although there was a setback when a thief stole the cardboard cut-out last month.

Other forces around the world have employed cardboard cut-outs to con criminals. In Australia they even introduced cardboard squad cars.

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