POLICE have launched an investigation following an incident that involved a man impersonating a police officer in the Forest of Dean last weekend.

The alleged incident, which took place in Dymock on Saturday night (April 3), involved the driver of a hatchback car, which had blue lights and a siren, flashing their lights at another vehicle and indicating them to pull over.

A man from the hatchback then approached the stopped vehicle and started talking to the driver.

The driver described the man’s uniform at looking fake, ‘similar to a fancy dress outfit purchased from a party shop with a flimsy hat.’

After a short conversation, the driver was convinced that the man was impersonating a police officer and pulled away.

The man then followed, and when the driver turned on to Green Lane he continued on the B4215 toward the junction with the A449, and his direction from there is not known.

The man involved in the incident, which took place at approximately 10pm, was described as being in his 30s, tanned and with a foreign accent.

The vehicle he was travelling in also had a front headlight which was not working.

Police say that a number of enquiries have been taking place to identify the man, and they have now launched an appeal for anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident, or anyone that may have dashcam or CCTV footage, to come forward.

Gloucestershire Constabulary released CCTV images of the car which is believed to have been involved in the incident.

A police statement offered advice to residents that are signalled to pull over by unmarked cars.

“If you have suspicions or genuine concerns about an unmarked car which is indicating for you to pull over you can call 999 as the police can check if one of their cars is stopping you”, the statement said.

“Drive at a reduced speed to the nearest public place, such as a petrol station, police station or somewhere well-lit, and try not to stop anywhere secluded.

“Do not speed away but instead signal that you have acknowledged their request to stop and indicate the action you are taking, such as putting on your hazards lights and pointing from the driver’s window to where you are heading.

“Keep the doors locked until you are happy it is the police - you can ask to see the police officer’s warrant card through the closed window, which should carry their name and picture, and check this with the force’s control room by calling 999.

“A genuine police officer will always take the time to reassure you of their identity.”

Gloucestershire Constabulary says it is also keen to hear from anyone else that has experienced something similar recently.

Anyone with information is asked to submit it to police online by completing the ‘Update a crime report’ form at www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ , quoting incident 515 of April 3, or by calling the police on 101.