St. John's Antigua- Law enforcement officials are reminding residents that it is unlawful to wear clothing resembling army and police uniforms.

Commander – in - Chief of the Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force Colonel Trevor Thomas yesterday reiterated that it is against the law to wear military fatigue and to use any paraphernalia resembling those used by the force, including hats, berets, handkerchiefs and boots.

His comments come on the heels of a report that three men, dressed in military style uniform and boots, posed as police and robbed a couple on Monday night.

The Defence Force boss said he has not received any report of missing uniforms and military paraphernalia.

"The (Military Uniform Act) says it is unlawful for anyone who is not part of the military to wear garment resembling the uniform. It is a criminal offence," Commander Thomas said.

While the penalty for doing so is a fine of no more than $10,000 or imprisonment one year, the colonel said residents should respect the law and respect the men who serve.

"Customs have been confiscating military fatigue at the airport when people enter the country and they've been working with us, in that they've called us in to examine the clothing and handed them over to us or the police," he added.

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Superintendent Nuffield Burnette  cautioned that anyone caught wearing and impersonating the armed forces outside of the exempted occasions, they would be prosecuted.

"Regardless of what part of the uniform it is, we will confiscate it once we catch you wearing it and you could be fined or confined whatever the case may be," the senior officer said.