Police have warned motorists to beware a bogus emergency vehicle following reports of a man trying to grab a woman driving alone in Wortley.

It happened at about 10.40pm on Friday August 1 in Soughley Lane.

The woman saw blue lights in her rear-view mirror and pulled over and stopped her car, believing the car behind to be a police vehicle. A man then opened her driver’s side door and tried to pull her from the car. After a struggle, she managed to start her car and drive away.

Detective Inspector Sharon Hancock said: “Purporting to be a police vehicle is against the law and we urge anyone driving in the area to remain vigilant.

“If motorists are in any doubt when being stopped, they should wait in their car with the doors locked until they can clearly see police identification. An officer will be happy for you to call the police, give your location and get confirmation that it is a police officer with them.

“This appears to be an isolated incident but extra patrols are taking place in the area to offer reassurance to local residents.”

Anyone with information about the bogus vehicle should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 1249 of Friday 1 August.