Swindon Police have arrested a man following a burglary at the Swindon West Police Point in the early hours of Sunday, 14 May.
The force has declared the crime a critical incident but insists it has taken steps to ensure data on stolen electronic devices cannot be accessed.
It is also urging people to call 101 if they suspect the identity of a person claiming to be a police officer.
An 18-year-old from Swindon was arrested on suspicion of burglary and remains in custody for questioning, although the force says the investigation is ongoing, with multiple lines of inquiry.
Officers are still assessing what has been taken during the burglary, but confirmed that items of police uniform and equipment were stolen.
ACC Deb Smith said: “We are still investigating how the burglary has occurred and we have made an early arrest, however our investigation is ongoing with multiple lines of inquiry.
“We understand that this is a concerning incident for the public but please be assured that we have taken every necessary step to ensure that any data cannot be accessed on any of the electronic devices that have been stolen.
"We have however, in line with process, referred the matter to the Information Commissioners Office and we have declared this as a critical incident for the Force.
“Items of police uniform and equipment have been taken, and with that in mind we’d urge anyone who is unsure whether the person they are dealing with is a genuine police officer to call us on 101 to check their identity immediately.
“We also offer a simple verification process to the public which will allow them to confirm that an officer is on duty where all officers can proactively offer to carry out a verification check to anyone they engage with who appears concerned for their safety or vulnerable.
"They can do this by putting their personal issue radio on loudspeaker and asking a member of our control room to confirm who they are and that they are on duty.
“This check can also be requested by any concerned member of the public.”
Anyone with information in relation to the burglary, or who witnessed anything, is asked to contact the police on 101 quoting reference 54230050337.
It is also urging people to call 101 if they suspect the identity of a person claiming to be a police officer.
An 18-year-old from Swindon was arrested on suspicion of burglary and remains in custody for questioning, although the force says the investigation is ongoing, with multiple lines of inquiry.
Officers are still assessing what has been taken during the burglary, but confirmed that items of police uniform and equipment were stolen.
ACC Deb Smith said: “We are still investigating how the burglary has occurred and we have made an early arrest, however our investigation is ongoing with multiple lines of inquiry.
“We understand that this is a concerning incident for the public but please be assured that we have taken every necessary step to ensure that any data cannot be accessed on any of the electronic devices that have been stolen.
"We have however, in line with process, referred the matter to the Information Commissioners Office and we have declared this as a critical incident for the Force.
“Items of police uniform and equipment have been taken, and with that in mind we’d urge anyone who is unsure whether the person they are dealing with is a genuine police officer to call us on 101 to check their identity immediately.
“We also offer a simple verification process to the public which will allow them to confirm that an officer is on duty where all officers can proactively offer to carry out a verification check to anyone they engage with who appears concerned for their safety or vulnerable.
"They can do this by putting their personal issue radio on loudspeaker and asking a member of our control room to confirm who they are and that they are on duty.
“This check can also be requested by any concerned member of the public.”
Anyone with information in relation to the burglary, or who witnessed anything, is asked to contact the police on 101 quoting reference 54230050337.
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