Humberside Police (UK) recently managed to catch up with a woman who is accused of trying to impersonate a police officer.
While we often hear of men trying to do the same thing, it is rare for women to try it on.
A spokesperson for Humberside Police confirmed:
“We were called at around 5.10 pm on Sunday, 26 January, following reports a woman claiming to be a police support officer had visited the home of an elderly resident to talk about security and stolen her handbag.
“We also received calls from a number of other residents in the area who had also been approached by a woman answering the same description.
“The offender was described as white, around 50 years old, of thin build, with mousey hair in a ponytail.
“She was wearing a dark zip-up jacket, jeans and yellow trainers.
“A woman was arrested in the area a short time later and remains in our custody, assisting us with our enquiries”.
This is an excellent reminder to speak to your relatives — especially those who might be vulnerable — and give them advice on what to do if someone purporting to be a police officer knocks on their door.
Ask to see their warrant card before you open the door (assuming that you have a window at the front of your house or a ‘spy hole’).
Ask them why they are there who who it is they need to speak to. If they cannot give you a straight answer, then call 101 and explain the situation to the call handler.
The police would rather confirm that it is/isn’t them rather than exposing you to the criminal fraternity.
