Two men pretending to be police officers to steal motorists cars didn't bargain with pulling over a real off-duty officer.

Devon and Cornwall Police are warning motorists only to stop for marked cars with flashing lights after the two men tried pulling the officer over for fake drink-driving offences.

The off-duty officer was on his way home from work around 4.10am on Sunday 31 January when a vehicle followed him and flashed him to pull over.

Two men claiming to be police officers alleged the real officer was drink driving and asked him to get out of his car and leave the keys in the ignition.

The officer refused as he believed that the men were attempting to steal his vehicle. When he announced himself as an actual officer the men drove off.

Police enquiries later led to the arrest of three Plymouth men, aged 21, 23, 37, in connection with the incident. They remain in custody at Charles Cross police station.

A police spokesman said: “Incidents such as these are rare but we are reminding the public to only stop for police if they are in a marked vehicle displaying flashing blue lights.

“Motorists can also ask any officer for ID and their shoulder number which is unique to them. Please call 999 if you believe you have been stopped by a person who is impersonating a police officer.”