Old bill in doing their job shocker

There really isn't enough time in the day for the police to go looking up random people's details and using them for their own unspecified nefarious ends....

Silly straw man argument.

"Kids, never speak to an officer, if they ask you for your details, politely decline."

Always - every time. Decline and continue with your business.

And not speaking to an officer, or indeed anyone, is just quite rude.

Chin up, I am sure you can simply move on and carry on with your work even after someone has decided they would rather not hand over their personal details.