Appeal following 'stop checks' by bogus police officer

Police are appealing for witnesses following reports of a bogus police officer stop-checking vehicles.
 
Officers are aware of two incidents in the Plymouth area where the driver of an unmarked Volvo has attempted to stop other drivers for "traffic offences".
 
A man, dressed in plain clothes, has been using a silver-coloured Volvo V70 which has been equipped with flashing lights and a siren.
 
In the Roborough area in April, a woman was stopped and reprimanded by a man for speeding. When she asked him to produce identification he refused and left the scene.
 
And in October on the A38 at Longbridge, an attempt was made to stop an off-duty police officer who realised it was not a police vehicle and refused to pull over.
 
A 37-year-old man from the Plymouth area has been arrested and released on police bail on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and a silver Volvo has been seized by officers.
 
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.”
 
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 quoting EL/13/4832.