Scammers posing as council staff target dog walkers

Dog walkers in West Sussex have been warned about scammers posing as council workers and attempting to issue fines.

Multiple reports of people pretending to be enforcement officers have been made in recent days, according to Adur and Worthing Councils.

One dog walker in Worthing was reportedly approached by two people who attempted to fine them £1,000, supposedly for a breach of a public space protection order.

The scammers pressured them to hand over a smaller immediate payment to avoid a ticket, but the victim recognised something was not right and did not part with any money, the council said.

Adur and Worthing councils said that incidents had been reported in Beach House Park, Homefield Park and Denton Gardens, in Worthing, and at Lancing Beach Green.

The incidents have been reported to Sussex Police.

The authority said that it was confident that the purported enforcement officers did not work for them or its contractor, National Enforcement Solutions.

It advised the public that legitimate officers would be in branded uniform and have body-worn cameras, and they should ask to see photo ID and receive a receipt.

Public space protection orders restrict dog walkers in certain areas, such as by requiring dogs to be kept on leads or banning them from an area altogether.

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