A former police officer was recently arrested after a failed attempt to rob a bingo hall by claiming to be an undercover officer. The elaborate plot was well planned, but after one mistake the man was finally arrested.

Matthew Brakewell, 29, served in the Greater Manchester Police and the Isle of Man force until he was released from his duties.

Brakewell went to a Gala Bingo hall and told the staff that he was a detective on an undercover mission, but he was filmed on CCTV taking money from a bag in the safe room of the hall.

When police was notified, Brakewell tried to run away from police and pointed at two officers with a fake gun. He surrendered to the officers a few moments later.

Investigations have proven that he also put up his act at Mecca Bingo Hall in Rochdale on September 22, using a false name and telling the manager that he was a detective inspector working on Operation Phoenix.

He told the manager that a band of armed robbers were targeting bingo halls and that the Mecca could be next on the list.