As part of a major security...

As part of a major security drive, car rental company Avis is pioneering a scheme, with the local police, to help prevent fraudulent rentals occurring at the airport

The scheme requires all rental customers to leave a thumb print with their agreement when collecting a rental car. The thumb print not only acts as a deterrent to those who feel they may be able to commit a crime when renting a car, but also acts as a means of tracing the identity of anyone who goes on to break the law in one of Avis" cars.

Stuart Gent, Avis managing director explains: "Fraudulent rental transactions are a concern throughout the country. Fraudsters may attempt to rent a car either using a stolen or cloned credit card or driving licence without the intention of returning the vehicle."

"Through participation in the Stansted trial, Avis is helping the industry stay ahead of the fraudsters."

Critics of the system worry about drivers" privacy rights, however Avis say they will not store the prints permanently, and will not use refer to them at all unless a crime is reported.

If the airport trial is well-received and operationally successful, Avis says it will roll the scheme out across all its depots nationwide.