POLICE have praised a supermarket initiative providing free fruit to children after adults exploited the scheme.

As reported in the Daily Echo, officers with the Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) issued a warning after members of the public took free fresh fruit from Tesco - but failed to do any shopping.

The chain introduced a 'free fruit for kids' initiative for shoppers in July 2016. Since then, tens of millions of bananas, apples and oranges have been handed out to youngsters.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: "We were made aware last week of a couple of bad apples taking advantage of Tesco’s free fruit for kids initiative at their store in Shaftesbury.

"We think this initiative is great, so it would be a shame if the store had to remove this service as this may result in a few sour grapes.

"Our neighbourhood policing teams use local social media accounts to engage with residents and inform them of any core local issues, both major and minor, that are brought to their attention by businesses and the wider community."

An officer from the Shaftesbury team posted on Facebook: "The free fruit stand in Tesco is being used in the wrong way.

"There is a sign which clearly states that kids can have a piece of fruit while adults are shopping.

"So please do NOT just walk in the store, take a piece and walk out again!

"Please can we respect this lovely thing, or they will take it away."