POLICE were called by a member of the public who thought they saw an officer being attacked by a gang of men.

When officers arrived at the scene in Cotmanhay Road, Ilkeston, they found the man was not a police officer – but was wearing a fluorescent jacket with the word police written on it.

Officers arrested the man at about 8.50pm on Saturday on suspicion of theft of the jacket.

He has been bailed pending further police inquiries. The four men seen by the passer-by had fled by the time police arrived.