Gloucestershire Constabulary is stressing it does not sell advertising after several reports in the last week of businesses being invited to buy space in a police-related magazine.

Two people from Gloucester contacted police to say that men stating to be from the ‘Police Talk Initiative’ or the ‘Police Initiative Scheme’ had phoned them and asked if they would like to buy an advert in their magazine.

In one of the cases, the victim agreed to an advert worth £100.

Force Crime Reduction Officer Paul Francis said: "We never sell advertising space in any publication or cold call people. Even if these magazines exist they are certainly nothing to do with the police.

"My advice if you get one of these phone calls is to simply hang up and call Trading Standards or Police on 0845 090 1234."