Derbyshire, England (AHN) -- It was intended to deter shoplifters at a supermarket. But that did not deter a thief from running off with it. The thief took a life-sized cardboard cut-out of a policeman.

Prior to the incident police claims the cardboard cut-out replica of PC Bob Molloy had been doing a great job of deterring shoplifters in Long Eaton, Derbyshire.

Poice said the cheeky thief even paid for his groceries at the Co-op store before dashing off with the life-size PC Molloy tucked under his arm.

Derbyshire Police however say that the thief may have been unaware that the theft was captured by CCTV cameras thus police are confident of making an arrest.

Since PC Molloy's 2D presence was introduced two years ago, thefts had effectively fallen from 36 per month to just one prompting police to aver the theft may be an act of revenge.

Costing roughly USD203 to produce, the cut-out which shows PC Molloy in full uniform with arms folded and looking life-like that some shoppers have even tried engaging it in a conversation, has been rotated between stores across Belper and Long Eaton.

"We were using the cut-out as a way of engaging more with the local community, so it is a bit disappointing," Insp Andy Picken said. "We are pursuing lines of inquiry and hope to have some good news soon."

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