A Merseyside council has issued a warning to residents after scams regarding the wearing of face coverings were reported.
Knowsley Council has received reports of shoppers in the borough's town centres being approached by people impersonating council officials and attempting to issue £10 fines if they are not wearing a mask.
Concerned residents have described the scammers to be a group of approximately five people wearing hi-vis vests with Knowsley & Sefton Council Logos.
They are also said to have been carrying ID badges and wearing body CCTV.
Council officers including trading standards, town centre managers and the CCTV control room have confirmed they are working to fully investigate these reports and extra attention will be paid to the area by Merseyside Police.
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Knowsley Council said local authorities do not have the powers to enforce the wearing of face coverings, enforcement action can only be taken by the police.
But if you are approached, they advise residents ask for identification and if in doubt, contact the agency they claim to represent.
The council said government advice is to wear a face mask not just on public transport and shops but other spaces like cinemas, bingo halls, community centres, social clubs and indoor entertainment venues.
They said while it isn’t mandatory to wear a face covering outside, residents may choose to and can find a full list of where wearing a face mask is mandatory on their Knowsley News website.
If you are approached, please report incidents immediately to Merseyside Police via 101 or online here.
