Two thieves dressed as police officers stole a car after stopping the driver and convincing them to get out.

The men were driving a grey Volkswagen Passat car fitted with blue flashing lights when they stopped a black Audi A1 car in Mavor Avenue, East Kilbride at around 7pm on Sunday.

The two suspects, who were dressed in police uniforms, managed to persuade the driver of the Audi to get out of his car before one of them drove off. The other thief then made off in the bogus police car.

The 28-year-old victim then reported the incident to police. A similar incident happened earlier in the evening around 6.30pm near to the First Glass pub on Hamilton Road, Cambuslang.

The driver refused to leave his vehicle, however, and requested to see the officer's warrant card to confirm his identity.

When unable to produce this the suspect returned to his car and made off along with his accomplice.

The suspect who approached both vehicles is described as white, approximately 5ft 8in, medium build with short brown gelled hair.

He was wearing black cargo trousers, black utility belt, black body armour and seen to be speaking into a radio which was being held in his hand.

Detective sergeant Graeme Begley at Airdrie CID said: "This causes great concern that there are individuals out there posing as police officers and managing to con members of the public as they go about their daily business.

"I would like to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity at the time either of these incidents took place and who may have witnessed either incident or perhaps saw the suspects hanging around the areas in their car.

"I'd also like to remind anyone who has any concerns regarding the authenticity of a police officer to simply ask for identification - any legitimate police officer will always be in possession of this and happy to produce when asked. "

Anyone with information that can assist enquiries is asked to contact police at Airdrie via 101.

Alternatively calls came by made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.