POLICE are warning residents, especially the elderly, to stay alert following an increase in courier fraud in Gloucestershire.

The force's cyber protect officer, Victoria Brinton said: "Over the last few days we have received a number of reports of courier fraud, where individuals have called residents and claimed to be police officers and asked them to move or withdraw their money, or purchase items, and hand them over to a 'courier'.

"Neither the police, nor your bank, will ever ask you to do this.

"If you receive a call like this, please hang up and wait for at least five minutes before using your phone again to make sure they are no longer on the line.

"Then, please report this to us by calling 101, or on our website.

"Older people are often targeted for this type of fraud, so please share this message with friends and family who you believe may be susceptible to this scam."