TRUST in the police force has been put into further doubt after a woman from Basingstoke suffered a ‘scary’ experience when she was stopped by two plain-clothed officers, and was unable to confirm with Hampshire Constabulary if they were genuine. 

Clare, who works as a field co-ordinator delivering copies of the Gazette newspaper, has spoken of her disappointment with the police response when she tried to verify if the officers were genuine.

The 52-year-old said two men pulled up behind her in an unmarked car at 2pm last Thursday in Sandys Road, South Ham, blocking her in, before coming to her window and showing a police badge.

The mum-of-two, who has worked for the Gazette for 17 years, had no idea if the officers were genuine, and said: “I was a bit surprised. My mum had just rang me so I was pulled over and was talking to her and these two guys in normal clothes stood either side of my windows and I had seen their car pull right up behind me up to my bumper.

“I looked through my window and he showed me his badge and asked me to get out of the car. I got out and said, ‘why have you stopped me?’ He said he couldn’t tell me that until I showed my ID. I went to get my handbag and grabbed my purse, but with hindsight I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

Clare said the two men then put on baseball caps with ‘police’ written on the front. She said: “I have no idea what a police badge looks like and the caps they were wearing you could probably buy on the internet.”

She added: “I was so shocked that I didn’t question them. I thought I must have something wrong with my car. I showed them my ID and they phoned through on a walkie-talkie which made me think they were genuine.”

The pair then told Clare that it had been a case of mistaken identity and left.

It was only afterwards that Clare questioned her actions and whether the two men had been genuine police officers.

She said: “It was a bit scary and on reflection I maybe should have asked for more proof of who they were.”

Feeling concerned, particularly following the case of Sarah Everard who was raped and murdered by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens who abducted her after he showed his badge, Clare called Hampshire Constabulary to enquire.

However, she was left disappointed by their response, and said she was made to feel like she was wasting their time.

Speaking to the Gazette afterwards, she said: “I had these nagging thoughts they weren’t genuine so I called the police. I fully understand that if they are doing their job I would rather they get bad people off the streets, but it was their arrogance that shocked me. I asked if they could check if the men were genuine police officers and the man I spoke to said ‘why?’.

“I explained that they were both plain clothed and I asked if he could look it up. He said, ‘I could do’. He gave me the impression I was wasting his time.”

Hampshire Constabulary did not look up the incident, and instead said this was a normal way a suspect would be stopped.

Their response was at odds with what was promised by Hampshire Police chief constable Olivia Pinkney, who said: "It’s absolutely understandable that some people may wish to ask our officers to show their ID or to simply ask for reassurance and we will be happy to do this.

"I have reminded my officers and staff to provide extra reassurance to anyone with whom they interact – whether woman, girl or anyone who cares for them.

"They are used to providing that reassurance but must expect to do more. They will want to explain and reassure who they are, what they are doing and why. We are absolutely prepared for this."

Clare's experience has raised questions as to what people can do if they feel concerned about being stopped by plain clothed officers in light of Sarah Everard’s murder.

After the Gazette made enquiries to Hampshire Constabulary, it eventually confirmed the two officers were genuine police. 

A spokesperson said: "This was a legitimate stop by plain clothed officers who were conducting enquiries as part of a live investigation into drug-related crime in the area.

"The unmarked police car parked up behind her parked vehicle. The officers approached her car, showed her their identification and requested hers.

"Once they confirmed she was not the woman connected to their investigation, by checking her details via their radio, they explained it was a case of mistaken identity, apologised for the inconvenience and returned to their investigation, which was on-going.

"Since we all became aware of the details of Sarah Everard’s murder following the sentencing last week, we have reminded all our officers and staff that members of the public may seek extra reassurance when stopped.

"Hampshire Constabulary officers always carry identification and can always be asked for verification. We are used to providing that reassurance and will take the extra steps needed to rebuild public confidence in us and the work that we do to protect our communities.

"One of the officers involved is happy to meet with the woman and go through any concerns that she may have."