Christchurch constables took Prevention First to heart when confronted with a cold and wet young shoplifter.

Constables Luke Vaughan and Chris Dunell were called to The Warehouse in Eastgate Mall after a 13-year-old was caught stealing a $50 jacket.

She told them she was cold and her family could not afford to buy a jacket. A check revealed she had never been in trouble before.

“It was a horrible day - cold and raining,” says Luke. “She seemed like a reasonable kid and it sounded like a genuine story. We thought we’d try something a bit different because it wasn’t a run-of-the-mill job.”

They headed to the SaveMart recycled clothing store in Sydenham. The girl chose a $10 jacket, the manager knocked 50 percent off the price and Luke and Chris chipped in $2.50 each. They took the girl home and explained to her family.

Luke said their morning briefing had included a session on alternative resolutions. “I suppose we had in mind that there were other options apart from arresting people.”