Whenever we see a police car with blue flashing lights indicating for us to pull over, our initial reaction is, of course, to follow the law and to pull over however, even when we think we are responsible, law-abiding citizens, we still could be putting ourselves in potential danger.
Drivers in the southeast London area are being warned to stay vigilant following a series of carjackings in the area. What makes these carjackings particularly worrying, however, is that they are being carried out by carjackers portraying themselves as Police Officers.
The carjackings all took place over the last seven days, and in all cases, a man posing as a plain clothes police officer pulled drivers over with blue flashing lights before asking the driver to exit their vehicle before making off with their car.
Victims of the carjackings have described how the man posing as Police Officer displayed a lanyard with a leather cover but without a crest or badge.
By the time the pulled-over drivers have left their vehicle, as requested by the carjacker posing as a plain clothes Police Officer, the imposter has entered into their car and driven off.
What to do when pulled over by the police in the UK
An unmarked police car can stop vehicles, but in order to comply with the provisions of the law, it must contain a Police Officer who is in uniform. If you find yourself in a situation where you are indicated to pull over by an unmarked police car, and you feel unsure or uncomfortable, be sure to follow these tips.
- Stay inside your car, roll down the window and turn on the inside light.
- Unless you are certain it is the police, do not stop.
- Drive steadily to the nearest public place, e.g. a petrol station where they are open till late, and CCTV cameras are in operation. If it is a genuine Police Officer, they will have no issue with this. If they are an imposter, they will not want to pursue you, knowing there is CCTV in the location.
- Police ID must have a crest or badge.
Anyone with more information about these incidents should contact the South East Command Unit CID based at Lewisham police station on 07393 006959.
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