Calls were made today for tighter regulation on the sale of items of police uniforms. Police helmets from the Staffordshire and West Midland forces are freely available on the bidding website ebay.

Meanwhile, fluorescent jackets and other items of police clothing are also available to buy on a series of websites. But the sale of uniforms has led to calls for tighter regulations because of fears that clothing could be used to commit crimes such as distraction burglaries.

There have been examples across both force areas of vulnerable and elderly people being targeted by distraction burglars pretending to be police officers.

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson said he was going to raise the issue with policing minister Nick Herbert when the pair meet next week.

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