A warning from Police Direct

Police are urging motorists to be aware of a potential roadside scam involving men claiming to have broken down. The warning follows a number of incidents in Norfolk and Suffolk this week whereby drivers have been flagged down by men from a supposedly broken down car. Motorists are either asked for cash so they can purchase fuel, or offered jewellery in exchange for cash. The jewellery often appears to be low value – either cheap gold or polished metal – and not worth what they are asked to pay. Officers are urging motorists to be vigilant and to report any similar incidents to police – using the 101 number for suspicious activity or 999 if you believe a crime is in progress. Two incidents were reported Monday 2 February on slip roads from the A146/A47 and on the A11/A47 in Norfolk between 1pm and 1.40pm. Meanwhile, police in Suffolk dealt with an incident the same day on the A14 at Bury St Edmunds where a patrolling officer stopped a VW seen in suspicious circumstances at the roadside just before 1.30pm. Enquiries resulted in the driver of the VW being arrested and later charged with a series of offences. The 33-year-old man from Bedfordshire was later charged with possession of articles for the use in fraud and two counts of committing fraud by false representation. He was released on bail to appear before Bury Magistrates Court on Thursday 12 February.