Quake Victims Should Be Wary Of Impersonators

Canterbury Police are warning people in Christchurch to be aware of people posing as officials.

Senior Sergeant Phil Dean from the Christchurch police stated that there has been an increase in the number of calls that Police have received relating to the unsolicited approaches by people claiming official business.

"There are people in our community who are pretending to be all manner of officials including Police, with criminal intent" Dean said.

Since the earthquakes started there have been a few people in our communities who have been trying to use the situation to commit crimes where people have been displaced, and are posing as members of official organisations to do this.

"We have had reports of from members of the public of phone calls from people claiming to be officials from local organisations and government."

All officials have appropriate identification and if members of the public have any doubt they should ask to see this identification.

There have also been a number of reports of people impersonating Police officers,

The people impersonating Police officers have been wearing any manner of uniform such as LAPD style shirts, items that look like our stab vests and Police caps.

Senior Sergeant DEAN stated "Everyone knows what the New Zealand Police uniform looks like; there has been no change to this as a result of the earthquakes, if you do not think the uniform looks right or have any reason to think a person in impersonating a Police Officer then ask them for identification"

"We (Police) are encouraging people to keep a watchful in their own neighbourhood. If you see something that you think looks suspicious we want to hear about it then and there, that is how we will catch the burglars that are undermining our communities"

ENDS

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