A new weapon in the fight against credit card fraud is being piloted in an Oxford shopping centre.

The revolutionary system allows traders in Templars Square to ask for gel thumb prints from customers using credit cards or cheques.

The print is stamped on the back of the cheque or credit card slip, and if they are later found to have been used fraudulently, police have the unique print of the fraudster.

The scheme is being trialed in Oxford and Friars Square shopping centre in Aylesbury after a successful pilot at the Bluewater Centre in Kent.

Police hope the scheme will deter criminals from trying to impersonate card owners. Shoppers have the option of refusing to give their print, but the trader is then likely to refuse their purchase if they have no other identification on them.

Det Sgt Ian Holt, of Thames Valley Police's crime reduction unit, said: "We hope the scheme will act as a deterrent to would-be offenders.

"Where offences are committed, it is often difficult to gain evidence of those involved. If we have a print there's a good chance we can match it to a suspect, as most have offended previously and their fingerprints are on record."

Credit card fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes. The Association for Payment Clearing Services said it cost banks £300m in 2000 and although banks bear these costs, they are inevitably eventually passed on to customers. Between 1999 and 2000 there were 14,191 offences of fraud and forgery reported in Thames Valley area, making up seven per cent of all recorded crime.

Pc Stuart Outram, of Oxford police's crime reduction team, said Templars Square had been chosen for the pilot because it was close-knit unit of shops.

He said: "It's a new and exciting programme and the majority of the traders have taken it up without any problems. The gel comes in a little circular pot and can be wiped off straight away - it's quick and clean.

"If the slip goes through the traders' clearance system without any problems, then that's the end of it.

"No data is kept by the police and we're not asking for any information from the traders - it's purely a double-check on behalf of the customer."

Templars Square centre manager Wendy White said: "We are very keen on anything that helps stop credit card fraud and the customer feedback seems to be that anything that helps me use my card legitimately is good."