AN ARREST has been made following reports of a man knocking on doors of elderly folk and claiming to be a police officer.

An 87-year-old woman who allowed the caller into her home at Badminton later discovered cash had been stolen.

There were similar incidents in nearby North Wraxall, Yate and Oldbury-on-Severn on February 22 and March 4, but the householders turned the man away.

In each case the caller was wearing a fluorescent yellow jacket with the word ‘police’ on it over ordinary clothes. He claimed there had been burglaries in the area and asked the householders to check that cash and jewellery was safe.

On Tuesday police arrested a 36-year-old man from Swindon and released him on bail for further inquiries.

Sgt Steve Ives said: “Despite this arrest I would ask people to remain on their guard to any unexpected callers. The people who turned these men away did exactly the right thing.

“A genuine police officer will always show you their identification and give you time to check it carefully. Door-to-door inquiries are carried out by police officers and PCSOs in full uniform, and we won’t ask to see where you keep your valuables.

“If you have any unexpected callers, always put the chain on and if you’re not sure, don’t open the door and call us immediately on 999.”

Anyone with information about the incident can call Avon and Somerset Police on 101 and speak to South Gloucestershire CID or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.