A new form (pictured) is to be handed out by police so shopworkers can write down vital details of what their attackers looked like in the immediate aftermath of a crime.

This can then be passed on during a 999 call and could provide officers with essential information as early as possible.

The innovative scheme is the brainchild of community support officer, Danny Pinder, who works out of Blackpool Police’s South Shore police station.

He said: “We’re hoping the forms will prompt the retailer to note down identifying features of the shoplifter while they can remember them, making it easier for them to then give the information to our communications room when they report the crime.

“This information can then be circulated to all officers in the vicinity of the shop and hopefully will lead to an increase in catching the criminals that commit this type of crime.”

The form shows the outline of a person allowing the victim to quickly note outstanding features and also asks specific questions needed quickly by officers.

Police said the form is in response to when officers have attended reports of shoplifting and the offender has already left the premises – making it almost impossible to find them and bring them to justice.

The new form is being made available to local shops and stores and gives the retailer a chance to note down the identifying features of the shoplifter.

It asks for a description of the offender, including information about features like tattoos, hair colour, clothing and the direction the offender was going when they left the premises.

A spokesman for Blackpool Police said: “This is one of those simple ideas which could have wide-reaching results.”

Any retailer who wants to know more about the scheme, can call PCSO Pinder on the freephone number, 08451 253 545.