Face of bogus Blackburn police officer

9:26am Friday 16th May 2008

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THIS is the man who is believed to have posed as a police officer to steal a mobile phone and cash from a 12-year-old schoolboy.

The incident happened in Blackburn town centre when the youngster was on his way home after going to the cinema with friends.

Police have now released an computer generated EVOFIT image of a man they are hunting in connection with the incident.

Police said that as the boy walked along St Peter Street he was approached by a man who claimed to be a police officer.

The man did not produce any identification and was not wearing a police uniform but persuaded the boy to hand over his mobile phone by saying he needed to make an urgent phone call.

The boy was then escorted into the town centre where he withdrew some money from a cash point on King William Street and handed it over to the man after feeling threatened.

He was then taken to Ainsworth Street where he was told to wait for a uniformed police officer. The man then made off with the boy's mobile phone and cash.

The boy was not injured but both he and his family were left upset by the ordeal.

PC Simon Taylor said: "This was a rare and unusual incident which left both the boy and his family extremely upset and we are keen to trace this man as soon as possible.

"Police officers often carry out plain clothes duties, but they always carry identification and are happy to show it when seeking assistance from people.

"I urge anyone who recognises this man to contact police."

The man was white and in his mid 30s.

He was thin and was approximately 5ft 6ins tall.

He was wearing a blue beanie hat, dark track-suit bottoms and white shoes.

Police are urging anyone who can help identify the suspect to ring them on 0845 1 253545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.