POLICE have issued reassurance to drivers after reports of a fake police stop in Basildon last week.

A Facebook post from a woman concerned she may have been stopped by a man posing as a plain clothes police officer was shared widely across social media last week, sparking concern from residents.

Essex Police has now taken to social media to confirm the stop was carried out by a genuine police officer and officers have since reassured the woman this was in fact the case.

A spokesman for Essex Police shared: "We are aware of a report on an online community group chat that raises concerns about a member of the public who thought they may have been stopped by someone who was not a police officer, last week.

"We want to reassure you that this was a genuine police officer conducting official police business and we have been able to speak to the member of public who was stopped to reassure her that this was in fact the case.

"Although the person was not in uniform, they were working alongside colleagues who were in uniform and using marked police vehicles in the area as part of routine patrols to ensure road safety, enforce the law and to target the criminal use of our roads.

"Officers sometimes use plain clothes and unmarked vehicles, as in this case, but all our officers will always identify who they are. If at all concerned, please ask to see their identification.

"We continue to encourage anyone who has similar concerns, to contact us."