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Car stolen after being pulled over by fake police in Poole

A CAR with flashing blue lights pulled over a vehicle in Poole and drove off in it – but it wasn’t the police, according to reports.

Detectives are investigating an alleged robbery and impersonation of a police officer, which happened at around 5.45pm on Monday (January 15).

The occupants of a silver Skoda Superb were driving in Fleets Lane when an Audi with flashing blue lights in the grill requested them to pull over, a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

“Two men reportedly asked to check the driver’s licence and asked all occupants to get out of the vehicle and hand over their car keys.

“It is alleged that one of the men subsequently got into the Skoda and drove it away.”

During the incident, the driver of the vehicle – a man aged in his 20s – was reportedly sprayed in the face with an unknown substance, believed to be an ammonium-type spray. He did not sustain any serious injuries.

Then, at around 8.20am on Tuesday, the Skoda was found in Whitchurch Avenue and seized for examination.

Following enquiries, two men – aged 33 and 45 and both from London – have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and impersonating a police officer.

Detective Inspector Darren Moores, of BCP CID, said: “We take reports of robbery involving violence very seriously and will fully investigate those matters to bring suspected offenders to justice and reassure our communities.

“I would ask anyone who may have seen the incident in Fleets Lane and has information to help my enquiries to please come forward.

“Also, I am appealing to anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity around the vehicle in the Whitchurch Avenue area between the time of the incident and around 8am on Tuesday, January 16.

“If anyone has any relevant home CCTV or dashcam footage from either location, please contact Dorset Police.

“We appreciate this incident may cause fear in the community and I would encourage anyone with concerns to please make contact with their local neighbourhood policing team.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55240007639. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.