Police hunt fake cops with handcuffs & batons who demanded to search woman's home

14 October 2021, 14:57 | Updated: 14 October 2021, 18:20

Woman demands to see ID after men dressed as police officers tried to search her flat

By Asher McShane

Police have launched an investigation after footage emerged of two men dressed up as police, carrying handcuffs and batons, who tried to enter a home in east London.

Scotland Yard said officers were called on Tuesday October 12 at 6.51pm to a block of flats in Barking.

A woman told them two men “in crude uniform including caps, harnesses and 'asps' (batons)” had tried to get inside to search the property.

The men were initially allowed inside but residents got suspicious and demanded to see ID, which the men couldn’t produce.

Police are hunting two fake police officers who tried to gain access to a property
Police are hunting two fake police officers who tried to gain access to a property. Picture: Metropolitan Police

A woman can be heard in the clip demanding to see ID but the pair refuse to hand any over.

Police would like to speak to the two men pictured
Police would like to speak to the two men pictured. Picture: Twitter

The woman shouts: “show me your face” and “you come to my house, show me your ID” before one of the men appeared to lash out at her phone.

Both of the men attempted to force their way into the flat using extendable batons.

The two men were challenged by residents and eventually left the property
The two men were challenged by residents and eventually left the property. Picture: Twitter

The men then leave the property, with one apparently trying to talk into his ‘radio’ saying “bring some more in here they are aggressive”.

She added: “Stop hiding your face if you’re the police. What is your reason to come in this house?”

One person posted on social media: "Oh my God... they don't look like cops.. these guys need to be caught"

Another wrote: "I bet a lot of people would just let a stranger into their home if they had a police uniform on."

Another added: "This could've ended badly for a vulnerable person. Keep vigilant especially for older members of your community."

The Met police said in a statement: “We are aware of a video circulating on social media filmed in east London appearing to show two men impersonating police officers.

“Police were called at 18:51hrs on Tuesday, 12 October to a residential block in The Shaftesburys, Barking IG11.

“A woman reported that two men had attended her address. They were claiming to be police officers and were dressed in crude uniform including caps, harnesses and 'asps' (batons) and said they were there to search the property.

“They were initially allowed in before the residents became suspicious and asked to see their identification, which they could not produce.

“Upon being further challenged the suspects left the address. They were followed and fled in the direction of Abbey Road.

“Officers attended and conducted an area search but the males could not be located.

“It is not believed that anything was stolen from the address and there were no reports of any physical injuries.

“An investigation is ongoing. There have been no arrests at this time.”

Police also issued guidance on checking the identity of a police officer as fears are heightened in the wake of killer cop Wayne Couzens being found guilty of the murder of Sarah Everard.

Scotland Yard said: "Unfortunately, there have been occasions when fraudsters have posed as police officers, both in person and on the phone, to trick people into giving them personal information and defraud them of money.

"If one of our officers contacts you in person, they'll show you their police warrant card. This is proof of their identity and authority.

"Remember if you're unsure about whether the person you're dealing with is a genuine police officer – stop – and call us on 101 to check their identity.

"In an emergency always call 999."

Police would like to speak to the two men pictured and ask anyone who has information that could help to call 101 ref CAD 6640/12 Oct.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Donald Trump has paused all military aid to Ukraine

Trump pauses all military aid to Ukraine as he demands Zelenskyy show 'commitment to peace' following clash

Donald Trump

White House 'drawing up plans to ease sanctions against Russia' after Trump launches fresh attack against Zelenskyy

Donald Trump speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House

US tariffs on Canada and Mexico to go ahead as Trump says 'no room left' for negotiation

TV still from With Love, Meghan

Meghan insists she's not an influencer or tradwife as she opens up about Montecito life ahead of Netflix show

The ancient neolithic monument of Stonehenge near Amesbury

Britons - including ones who built Stonehenge - ‘were mostly black 5,000 years ago,’ study suggests

Zelenskyy should be 'more appreciative', Trump has said.

Zelenskyy should be 'more appreciative', says Trump as he insists Ukraine war must 'end fast'

The BBC has pulled the documentary from iPlayer.

Ofcom shares 'ongoing concern' over BBC's controversial Gaza show and warns it may intervene in investigation

Emily Thornberry speaks to LBC’s Andrew Marr

UK must 'bridge gap' between US and Ukraine, says Emily Thornberry as she praises PM's 'pitch perfect' response

Speaking for the first time since the charity stopped taking donations, Ms Ingram-Moore declared it is time to “move on” after her family’s reputation was “demolished."

Captain Tom’s daughter to release another book despite probe finding last £1.5m deal didn't go to charity

Sheffield Crown Court was told during a five-week trial how the girls were sexually assaulted several times a week over a period of six months in the South Yorkshire town.

Two men found guilty of raping teenage girls from children’s home in Rotherham grooming case

Pope Francis

Pope suffers 'two episodes of acute respiratory failure', Vatican says

Donald Trump has launched a fresh attack on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he 'does not want peace' after the Ukrainian president insisted that a peace deal was 'still very, very far away'.

'America won't put up with this for much longer' - Trump hits out at Zelenskyy again

The Government announced its plans to ban new leasehold flats and make commonhold the default tenure, in a bid to give homeowners greater control over their properties.

New leasehold flats set to be banned as centuries-old ‘feudal’ system to be abolished, Government says

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking during a statement on Ukraine, in the House of Commons.

'Test of our times': Sir Keir Starmer says US 'vital' in securing peace in Ukraine - days after ugly Oval Office row

The attack took place on Seven Sisters Road

Teenage girls ‘surrounded man, 75, before they pushed, shoved, kicked and punched him to death', court hears

Trump accused of making White House 'arm of the Kremlin' - as Zelenskyy insists peace deal 'is still very, very far away'

Trump accused of making White House an 'arm of the Kremlin' - as Zelenskyy says peace deal 'is still very far away'