Bogus Leicester police patrols take phones
A group posing as plain-clothed police officers has been involved in street robberies in Leicester.
Police said three incidents last week involved either two men or a man and a woman asking to search people's bags.
In two cases, mobile phones were taken from the victims. Officers urged witnesses to come forward.
Police said that while they do sometimes stop people in public, a warrant card would always be shown to identify them.
The incidents happened on 26 June on the canal towpath near St Margaret's Pastures, 28 June on Friday Street in Leicester and 30 June in the Great Central Way area of Leicester.
Det Con Tulay Kaplankiran said: "Obviously we're keen for witnesses to these incidents particularly an Asian man who we know witnessed the robbery on Friday Street on Monday and a group of youths who potentially witnessed a robbery near St Margaret's Pastures on Sunday.
"But we're equally keen to ensure no-one else falls victim to this scam."