Police issue warning over ‘fake officials’ following burglaries

Police are warning east Auckland residents to verify the identification of official staff following stories of individuals impersonating officers.

Counties Manukau East Police space group service supervisor, senior sergeant Anson Lin, says police have lately handled a number of burglaries within the Howick space wherein a suspect impersonated an official employee.

“Police are conscious there have been individuals figuring out themselves as official staff and visiting homes, advising residents they’re there to verify the water or energy metres.

“A high-vis jacket isn’t any assure of authority and sadly there are offenders on the market who’re attempting to benefit from folks.”

Police remind residents all official staff, no matter which organisation they work for, might be clearly identifiable with photograph ID, uniforms and fluro gear.

“We encourage anybody who sees one thing that doesn’t seem proper to contact police,” Lin says.

“Don’t be afraid to problem one thing or somebody to ask for identification. Official staff might be clearly identifiable.”

He says residents who discover any suspicious behaviour of their neighbourhood ought to contact police.

“In the event you see one thing, say one thing. We’d like the general public to report any suspicious exercise so we will conduct enquiries and maintain offenders to account.

“In the event you see suspicious behaviour and it’s occurring now please contact police on 111 or whether it is after the actual fact, cellphone police on 105 or on-line at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105.”