POLICE have issued a warning following a spate of scams in Winchester.

The latest con sees fraudsters phone up unsuspecting residents and pretend to be from 'Hammersmith Police'.

They tell the victim two men have been arrested over a fraud and that the criminals had their bank details.

The victim is then asked to confirm their details, which the fraudsters then use to raid their bank account.

An 88 year-old man from Sparsholt was recently contacted by the scammers.

Detective sergeant Jonny Ramchurn, from Hampshire Constabulary, said: "We received a number of similar reports in March this year from the Winchester area.

"I'd urge anyone with elderly or vulnerable neighbours to tell them about this scam to prevent them from becoming a victim. Many of these reports involve a caller claiming to be from Hammersmith Police."We want to warn residents that these requests are not genuine and that no police officer or bank would act in this way. Anyone who receives a suspicious call is urged not to give any details to the caller, and to report the matter to the police immediately."

However, the victim contacted the police and no money was handed over.

Anyone who is concerned about similar incidents should contact police by calling 101.