Drivers on the M25 have been urged not to pull over if asked to by an unmarked police car.

The warning comes after a second vehicle theft took place between junctions 28 and 27 on the anti-clockwise M25 at about 2.10pm on Monday (July 25), when three men were pretending to be police officers.

A silver Ford Mondeo equipped with a blue flashing light requested a grey Volkswagen Transporter van to pull over.

Two of the fake cops got into the van and both vehicles drove off.

Detective chief inspector Stuart Smith, of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said: “In a direct response to these incidents occurring a direction has been given to our officers that they should not, unless in emergency circumstances, be in an unmarked car and attempt to stop a driver.

“We have taken this decision to safeguard motorists in Essex while these offenders remain outstanding.

“Our victims have told us that the suspects are purporting to be police officers and are wearing body armour to further enhance this deception in order to steal these vans.

“Anyone who is signalled at to stop by someone in a car which may appear to be unmarked police is asked not to stop but to call 999 immediately to verify whether the vehicle and its occupants are genuine.”

Monday’s van theft follows a similar incident last Saturday, between junctions seven and eight on the M11 in Essex.

A Mercedes Sprinter van was stolen after four men in a silver Ford Mondeo stopped it while purporting to be police officers.

One of these men was armed with a firearm.

Anyone with any information about either of these incidents is asked to contact detectives on 101.