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CAR INCIDENTS IN ELTHAM: Police appeal this afternoon:
Police are investigating three similar car thefts which have taken place in Greenwich over the last week.
The first offence happened on Middle Park Avenue, Eltham on Thursday, 17 January at around 06:55hrs.
A 33-year-old woman was driving a white BMW 520d sport when she became aware of a car behind her activating a flashing blue light in the windscreen.
Thinking it was police, she pulled over and a man approached her and identified himself as a police officer. He showed a lanyard with a leather cover but she did not see a crest or badge.
He then asked her to leave the car, when she did he got in the driver’s seat and drove the car away.
The suspect’s car followed behind, driven by another man. Neither vehicle has since been located.
Second offence: on Monday, 21 January at around 12:00hrs, a woman reported that her vehicle had been stolen.
The victim stated that she was driving down Glenesk Road, Eltham when she stopped to make a phone call.
When she was parked up, she was stopped by a man who advised her she had an oil leak.
She subsequently got out of the car to have a look, leaving the keys in the ignition.
The man then got into the driver’s seat and drove the car away.
A second man ran up the road and made off in another car. Neither have been traced.
The third incident happened at around 03:15hrs on Tuesday, 22 January when a man reported his vehicle had been stolen by two men impersonating police officers.
As he was travelling along Academy Road, Woolwich, he noticed a dark people carrier behind him which flashed a blue light indicating him to stop.
He was then approached by one of the men who asked him to step outside of the vehicle and requested to look inside. Once in the driver’s seat, he drove off with the second man following in the people carrier.
Detectives from the South East Command Unit are investigating and are treating the incidents as linked.
Detective Sergeant Dominic Bolas said: "These thefts have happened in a short space of time and appear to be specific to this local area.
"We would urge the public to be vigilant and anyone approached by a plain clothed police officer should feel comfortable speaking to them and can always ask to check their ID which should be on them at all times. Local officers have been made aware of these incidents and will be instructed to be mindful if making stops while not in uniform and to make their identity clear."
"Anyone with more information about these incidents should contact the South East Command Unit CID based at Lewisham police station on 07393 006959."