Gloucestershire Constabulary has issued a warning after fraudsters targeted residents in Cheltenham and Forest of Dean in phone call scams where they claimed to be police officers.

Police have had two reports of attempted scams, on Monday (November 1).

In one incident reported at around 4.20pm the fraudster claimed to be an officer from Metropolitan Police, saying that someone was in police custody and asking if they were a relation of theirs.

Afterwards the man started asking probing questions.

In another report, made to police shortly before 5pm, the man pretending to be a police officer said he was making the call in relation to a hate crime which had been reported.

This is believed to have been an attempt at a scam. No-one fell victim in either of the incidents.

Fraudsters are manipulative and try to convince the person they are cold calling that they are either assisting with an ongoing investigation, or that they are under investigation themselves for offences such as money laundering.

They often tell the person they are trying to con not to tell anyone else about the call, including their own family or the bank.

They will then arrange for a courier to come and collect items which the victim has been encouraged to purchase - either cash, gift cards or other expensive items - at a location such as your home or place of work.

Police are asking people to make their elderly or vulnerable family, friends, and neighbours aware of these types of scams.

• If you believe you are being targeted by a scammer hang up the phone and use a different phone line to call Action Fraud or the police, as scammers have a way to stay on the line and will pretend to be the police when you call back.

• If you don't have access to a different phone line, wait for a period of time and try calling a family member or friend first to make sure the scammer is no longer on the line.

• Neither police nor bank officials will ever ask you to withdraw money from your account, purchase anything or hand over your personal details or passwords.

• Just because someone knows basic details about you like your name, address or date of birth, it doesn't mean they are genuine bank or police employees.

• Always question suspicious phone calls and report them to Action Fraud or the police.

If you think you or someone you know has been defrauded, you can report it to Action Fraud  online or by calling 0300 123 2040.