By Ted JeoryFEARS were growing last night that a police warrant card holder and badge being sold on an auction website could end up in criminal hands.

By Ted Jeory

FEARS were growing last night that a police warrant card holder and badge being sold on an auction website could end up in criminal hands.

The Essex Police wallet and badge appeared on auction website eBay's memorabilia section just after 4pm yesterday, sparking concern it could end up being used by bogus callers wanting to con vulnerable residents.

A spokesman for Essex Police said there was an “obvious concern” about the sale of the wallet and badge, and he hoped it would not fall into the wrong hands.

The item, which is being sold by an Ipswich man during a one-day auction with a minimum bid of £40, is part of a police officer's official identification.

Unlike American police, officers in Essex do not have to hand in their badge when they leave the force.

However, they do have to surrender their warrant card, which contains a photograph of the officer, a hologram and other official details and is an officer's main form of identification.

The wallet and badge was put up for sale by an eBay user called DanBailey10 and by 10pm yesterday had already attracted a bid of £40.

On the eBay listing, he described the lot as “a one-day auction for an original Essex Police leather wallet with badge”. He added: “This is an original and you will probably never see one on eBay again.”

In response to a question from buyers wanting to know how it was genuine, he said: “I know it is real because I got it from the police.”

An Essex Police spokesman said the wallet and badge appeared to be genuine and added: “There is an obvious concern with this kind of sale because it could be used by someone wanting to impersonate police officers.

“The name of the seller does not appear to be a member of Essex Police staff. While we regret the opportunity to buy this item, there is a worldwide legitimate market for police memorabilia.

“We would hope that this goes to a genuine collector and does not fall into the wrong hands.”

Last night another item of Essex Police uniform was put up for sale on eBay, this time a “brand new and unused” breast patch that had already attracted two bids.

ted.jeory@eadt.co.uk