Fingerprinting suspects could deter some from giving false information

Anyone suspected of committing an offence will be fingerprinted - with their consent - and their details kept.

The prints will be destroyed within a month if the matter is taken no further, or kept for longer if a decision is taken to prosecute.

Police say the scheme could spread across Lancashire if successful.

False details

Officers will be authorised to take the prints of people being given fixed penalty notices for motoring or disorder offences.

Inspector John Clucas says the scheme could become widespread

Insp John Clucas explained: "People are giving false details and this is a means of preventing or deterring them in the first place."

He added that another benefit would be to keep officers on the streets rather than tied up back at the station trying to verify if someone's details are genuine.

People will only be fingerprinted if they have given the officer written consent to do so, he stressed.

Insp Clucas went on: "If the scheme is successful in Blackpool, then we plan to roll it out across the whole of Lancashire."