Thumbprint Signature scheme is launched at Stansted Airport

Essex Police and Stansted Airport are launching the Thumbprint Signature Scheme aimed at preventing vehicle theft, following successful trials in Brentwood and at the Bluewater shopping centre as well as in the USA.

Under the scheme, vehicle hirers will be required to provide their thumbprint before they are able to drive a vehicle away. The print will be returned to them when the vehicle is returned.

The thumbprints are taken with a special gel that requires no ink. If the hirer refuses to give a thumbprint they will not be able to hire the vehicle. All vehicle hire companies at the airport have signed up for the scheme to prevent the hirer simply going to another company.