Man impersonating Garda calling to Laois homes
Laois Gardaí have issued an alert to the public to be aware of impersonators.
They have stated that a man impersonating a Garda called to houses in Rosenallis in Laois on Tuesday, January 24.
"Householders didn't engage. Keep vigilant and report all suspicious activity," Laois Offaly Garda Division has advised.
Earlier this winter, the Gardaí gave advice on how to know if a Garda is genuine.
"A conversation to have with family, friends and neighbours particularly those that may be more vulnerable. Gardaí are aware of an increase in the number of incidents of people impersonating Gardaí.
"Recent incidents of this type involve the ‘conmen’ requesting to check cash held by the injured party as a result of an increase in counterfeit cash circulating in the area, or that the ‘conmen’ need to check the security of the house as a result of an increase in burglaries in the area.
"An Garda Síochána will not cold call to a house and request to do either of these.
"An Garda Síochána wish to remind the public that any Garda member calling to your door will have identification. Should you have any concerns about the person at the door, you should not answer the door even if they are purporting to be a Garda.
"Genuine Gardaí will always provide details to allow you to confirm their identity with the local Garda Station and will be patient while you choose to so," they say.
Under Section 60 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005, "a person is guilty of an offence if he or she impersonates a member of the Garda Siochana, or makes any statement or does any act calculated falsely to suggest that he or she is such a member. A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both."