Police investigate 'bogus' undercover officer (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Police investigate 'bogus' undercover officer

6:00pm Friday 4th January 2013 in Local

BROMSGROVE police need the help of the public after a bogus police officer approached a group of people in Bromsgrove, telling them he was working undercover.

The man drove up to the group in Lyttleton Avenue, Charford, in a red Peugeot 206 at around 9pm on January 2.

He said he was an undercover police officer and referred to an incident in the town earlier in the evening, involving another officer, which police have no knowledge of.

After he was assured none of the group knew anything about it he moved off slowly to talk to another group of people, before driving off in the direction of Humphrey Avenue.

The man was described as white, 5ft 7ins, and stocky with a large build. He had a round face and short, dark hair.

Sergeant Justin Taylor, who is based at Bromsgrove Police Station, said: "We do not believe this was one of our officers and we have no record of the incident he mentioned.

"Clearly impersonating a police officer is an offence but we don't know what this man's intentions were. No attempt was made to get anyone into his car.

"We would like to hear from anyone else who may have been approached in this way or who can help us trace this man.

“An undercover police officer would always produce his identity card which should be checked carefully.”

"They should not ring any number given to them by the officer."

Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt Taylor on non emergency number 101, quoting incident reference 588-S-020113.

Police say the 101 number can also be used to check whether an officer is genuine.