Two men pretended to be police officers to try and persuade a woman to get into a van.
A man and a woman, both aged 19, were walking along Sinclair Avenue in Widnes at 1am on Sunday, November 28, when two men emerged from a white van.
Cheshire Police said the men stopped the teenagers and claimed to be officers.
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The men then carried out a search and tried to “goad the woman into the van” but she refused and they drove off.
A short time later, at around 2.20am the same fake officers punched a 61-year-old man in the face on Milton Avenue.
The men told the victim they were police officers and told him to get inside the van. A friend of the victim came to his aid and took him home.
He had suffered a large cut to his head which required hospital treatment.
The men had a dog described as a pit bull terrier with them.
Both incidents were reported to police and enquiries have been ongoing including reviewing CCTV footage.
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Chief Inspector Caroline Mullen-Hurst, of Widnes Local Policing Unit, said: “I want to reassure the public that incidents like these are very rare.
“Since they were reported we have been following numerous lines of enquiry and are appealing to anyone who may have been approached by these two men in similar circumstances.
“I also want to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incidents, have CCTV or dash cam footage or information that may assist the investigation to please get in touch.
“If you are approached by someone stating they are a police officer we would recommend you to ask for their warrant card. If in any doubt, contact the police on 101 to verify their identity or if you think you may be in danger please call 999.”
A 20-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and assault.
He has been released under investigation.
Anyone with any information should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit cheshire.police.uk online quoting IML 1143304.
Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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