FRAUDSTERS posing as police offers have been targeting people in the Stroud area, leading one victim to hand over thousands of pounds.

Gloucestershire Constabulary are warning residents in the Stroud area to be vigilant, as one victim aged 74 handed over £6,300 to the fraudsters.

01453 telephone numbers are currently being targeted by fraudsters posing as police officers.

Four incidents were reported last Thursday involving a fraudster who had phoned local residents posing as PC Thomas Daniels from Paddington police station.

They asked victims to assist in a "covert police operation" by withdrawing cash from their bank account.

The victims were told that the cash was counterfeit and needed to be given to a police career as part of the investigation.

The police would never ever ask you to hand over cash bank cards or other items.

If you receive a call like this, hang up straight away and use a different phone to contact the police to report the incident.

If you don't have access to another telephone, contact a friend or relative first to ensure that the fraudster has not stayed on the line

If you have been the victim of fraud please report this to police by calling 101 or visiting https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/.../soh/seen-or-heard/

Information can also be reported to Action Fraud by calling 03001232040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk