Check out your local bobby at the new Tesco copshops

Tesco is to open its doors to the police so they can mingle with shoppers and boost community relations.

Officers will wander the aisles, talking to customers who can alert them to problems they may have.

They will also set up in the supermarket's cafés, with shoppers invited to have "a coffee with a copper" for advice.

Tesco bosses also hope the police presence will deter shoplifters. The supermarket giant's security director Alan Brown - a former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner - said: "Tesco is at the heart of the community so it makes sense for us to work with the police.

"Local businesses joining forces with the police is a great way of building safer local communities and builds on our commitment to customers and neighbourhoods."

Tesco is this week asking all its stores to get involved with their local force. It says special constables who lose their jobs will be first in the queue if they have any vacancies for managers, team leaders or customer assistants.

Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said today: "We greatly value the help that Tesco can provide in supporting our Safer Neighbourhood Teams."