A police force in Cheshire, England, is advising jewellers to fix tape measures next to their doors in a bid to catch armed raiders, it emerged today.
The measures would enable staff to get an accurate idea of a robber's height as they enter or leave the shop, according to Cheshire Constabulary.
The idea was among a package of advice given to jewellers in wealthy "Footballers' Wives" towns such as Alderley Edge and Wilmslow.
Other suggestions included using mobile phone cameras to film suspicious activity, and keeping a notebook handy to record the number plates of getaway cars.
Superintendent Richard Strachan said: ``We are involved in a series of talks with jewellers across Cheshire about ways of preventing armed raids on jewellery stores.
"Ideas such as having a measure alongside the door, keeping a notebook handy to record vehicle registrations and other details, and having a mobile phone camera available, have been discussed.
"These were just a few suggestions in a raft of ideas to improve store security."
Mr Strachan said that town centre patrols had been stepped up, and officers had studied likely escape routes.
He added: "In the past 12 months eight jewellers' stores in the force area were robbed, which represents 3% of all reported robberies.
"We always treat robbery as a very serious issue because of the element of violence."