OFFENDERS posing as police officers attempted to lure a teenager into a van in Widnes in the early hours of Sunday.

Cheshire Police say that two similar incidents occurred in the town yesterday morning.

The first occurred shortly after 1am, when a man a man and a woman who were walking along Sinclair Avenue were approached by two men who got out of a white van stating that they were police officers.

They stopped the couple, who are both aged 19, and conducted as search before ‘trying to goad the woman into the van’.

She refused to enter the vehicle, and the men drove away.

A 61-year-old man was then punched in the face by the pair – who had a dog believed to be a pit bull terrier – on Milton Avenue at around 2.15am after they told him they were police officers and to get into the van.

He was then taken home by a friend, having suffered a ‘large cut to the head which required hospital treatment’.

The force’s enquiries into the incidents are ongoing.

A 20-year-old man, from Widnes, who was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and assault has since beeen released under investigation.

Chief Inspector Caroline Mullen-Hurst said: “I want to reassure the public that incidents like these are very rare.

“Since they were reported we have been following numerous lines of enquiry and are appealing to anyone who may have been approached by these two men in similar circumstances.

“I also want to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incidents, have CCTV or dashcam footage or information that may assist the investigation to please get in touch.

“If you are approached by someone stating they are a police officer we would recommend you to ask for their warrant card. If in any doubt, contact the police on 101 to verify their identity or if you think you may be in danger please call 999.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the constabulary on 101, quoting incident number IML1143304, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.