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A woman was asked to pull over and pay a 'fine' for unnecessary travel during the COVID-19 coronavirus lockdown - by fake police.

Bogus officers - wearing black hoodies, carrying walkie talkies and wearing earpieces - gestured for the driver to pull over on a bypass.

The real police force has warned the public against fraudsters posing as officials.

The frightening encounter comes as the public adjusts to new rules about going out, brought into force by emergency laws intended to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

A top police officer has warned the public to always ask for ID from officials.

What happened?

A woman reported that she was signalled to pull over on the Leven bypass by two men.

Humberside Police had to explain that it was not stopping vehicles in relation to COVID-19 following the incident near Brandesburton, East Yorkshire, on Friday (March 27).

A police spokesman said the men demanded she pay a £60 on-the-spot fine in cash for unnecessary travel but she refused and they drove off.

Chief Superintendent Darren Downs said: “I would like to make clear that our current approach to new legislation and powers does not involve routinely stopping any vehicles to enquire where people are driving to and if it’s an essential journey."

He added the public should always check if in doubt about people claiming to be officials.

He said: “If you are stopped by anyone who appears to be portraying themselves as an official, always ask to see some form of identification and if you are concerned for your safety or are in danger, immediately call 999.”

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Chief Superintendent Downs also said his force wasn't using checkpoints.

He added: “There are no checkpoints or stop areas in place and drivers will not be pulled over by officers to just ask where they are going, unless it is in response to a specific event, for example we see or become aware of a number of vehicles that are travelling to a mass gathering.”

“The fines that have been granted as a power to use as part of the new legislation are a very last resort, and if enforced, they would never be an ‘on-the-spot’ fine.

“A fixed penalty notice would be issued to the individual with the instructions on how to pay within a certain period of time."

But some police forces in the UK are starting to use checkpoints to enforce the lockdown.

Other coronavirus scams

Trading Standards in Somerset has warned people not to fall for coronavirus scams targeting the vulnerable.

The fake police fraud attempt happened as police warned people not to fall for a bogus text message saying they have been fined for stepping outside during the lockdown.

The latest in a series of scams related to the virus claims to be from the Government, telling the recipient their movements have been monitored through their phone and they must pay a fine or face a more severe penalty, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) said.

“The list of new scams associated with the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic grows by the day,” said CTSI lead officer Katherine Hart.

“I am appalled and infuriated at the ways unscrupulous individuals exploit this situation.

“We see new scams daily, and I would urge people to seek advice before replying to any messages they receive.

“Anyone who receives this text should ignore it. It is simply another ruse to steal the payment details of users.”

"In all of these cases, do not click or tap any links that these messages ask you to.”

Police can order members of the public to go home or leave an area, have the power to disperse a group using “reasonable force”, and can make arrests if someone refuses to comply.

Those who ignore the tougher restrictions could be hit with a £60 fine initially – reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days – and another for £120 for a second offence.