Police imposter tries to stop real officer

A man from Plymouth who has been stopping other road users for traffic offences has been arrested for impersonating a police officer.

An unnamed 37 years-old man had bought a flashing blue light and siren for his car had been stopping road users for offences such as speeding.

One motorist the man attempted to stop was an off-duty police officer. The off-duty officer refused to stop for the man when they realised that the car was not an official vehicle.

A woman stopped and reprimanded by the man asked for his Police ID card. He refused and left the scene shortly afterwards.

A police spokesman said: “This is a very unusual crime. We are appealing for anyone who may have been stopped or signalled to stop by an unmarked Volvo matching this description anywhere in the Force area to please make contact with us.

“This type of incident is extremely rare and we would advise drivers to always ask for identification in such an incident. Any bona-fide officer would willingly show their credentials.”

Police are only aware of the two incidents mentioned and are asking that anyone else that has been stopped by a man in a Silver V70 claiming to be a plainclothes police officer contact them with any further incidents.

It is currently unknown what the man’s aim in impersonating a police officer as the man was caught in both known incidents.

If you have been stopped by a man in a Volvo V70 claiming to be a police officer contact the police on 101 quoting EL/13/4832.