Gloucestershire Constabulary is warning residents to be alert following reports of scammers targeting residents in Tetbury, Gloucester and Churchdown with fraudulent phone calls over recent days.

Police have received seven reports of scam calls since last Thursday where scammers have pretended to be police officers from Hammersmith Police or Scotland Yard before convincing their elderly victims to withdraw and hand over sums of money.

The scammers enticed victims into handing over money after telling them that someone had been arrested in possession of a cloned copy of their bank card and that the money should be transferred so that it can be kept safe.

The victim was told to call 161 or another false number to get a crime reference number before being transferred back to the scammer.

Money was withdrawn and handed over to a courier on three occasions with the victims losing out on a combined total of £18,500.

Due to elderly people being targeted as part of this series, police are asking that this warning is shared with relatives and neighbours who may not be aware or have social media accounts.

Anyone who believes that they have been the victim of a fraudulent phone call can report this by calling police on 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.