Warning following potential police impersonation scams in Denton

A Denton resident took to Facebook earlier this week warning others to be vigilant of potential bogus police officers in the area.

The Facebook user said she was followed by what she believed to be a white Nissan Juke from Hyde Road to Egerton Street.

She wrote: "I started to turn down streets to check if they stayed with me and they did, so I doubled back on myself and pulled up under a street light.

"The car pulled up at the side of me and they opened the windows of the car. The black female driver told me they were Greater Manchester Police. That I was driving slow and was on my phone - well I certainly wasn’t on my phone and the road she said I drove slow on was Turner St where they have parked cars on either side and thats why I drive slowly down there."

She said the stop made her feel anxious, adding: "I didn’t really think they were police, so I asked to see their ID.

"She started going on again about me driving while on the phone. When I again asked to see ID she said they were blocking the road and she would drive down and come back to show it to me - they didn’t.

"I rang the police, who advised that any officer stopping you would always identify themselves. He suggested if worried about being followed drive to somewhere with CCTV or to a police station.

"I’m a female and I was alone in the car, I have no idea what they were up to but if you’re alone out and about at night be vigilant."

One user replied to the post saying: "I doubt that any police on duty drive a Nissan Juke etc , more likely to be a Skoda or Astra or BMW or Volvo, but definitely suspicious behaviour so you probably did the right thing as long as they couldn't block you in.

"There is no minimum speed on local roads and it couldn't be considered to be kerb crawling etc, if you have a dashcam then check the VRM if possible and report it."

Another commented: "Happened to me a couple of years ago. Always drive home or to a police station. You can also ring 999 and tell them you think you’re being followed and do they have an unmarked car in the area. Unmarked cars still have blue flashing lights which they’ll put on whilst asking you to pull over. Glad you’re ok. It’s scary."

Greater Manchester Police have been approached for comment.