The Esso station on The Homend in Ledbury is the first in the county to sign up for the Pay for Fuel scheme.

The scheme, funded by the Police Crime Commissioner (PCC), is a bid to reduce the number of people cheating at the pumps.

But staff are also being asked to help spot potentially vulnerable people in cars, such as those being trafficked, and to phone police if they do.

Police Sergeant Ram Aston said: "We are excited to launch the We Don't Buy Crime - 'Have you paid for your fuel?' scheme in our first petrol station in Herefordshire. The scheme was launched in Telford nearly six months ago and we have had great success with working with the staff at fuel stations to reduce the number of people driving off without paying for fuel.

"But the scheme is also help staff spot the signs someone may be vulnerable or exploited and encourage them that, if they have any suspicions at all, - or if a car leaves without paying for fuel, to contact police on 101."

The scheme will come to other local fuel stations in Herefordshire in the near future.