COUNTY residents have been warned to be on their guard against a man pretending to be a police officer and who claims to be investigating a murder.

The man knocked on a door in Lickhill Road, Stourport, around 8.30pm last Sunday and told the owners he was investigating a murder in nearby Memorial Park.

When the couple closed the door they heard him smash an empty milk bottle as he left.

Then, just after 9pm, he went to the home of a woman in her 80s in Vernon Road, and told the same story.

Both residents refused him entry.

Police said there have been a number of suspicious callers in the Wyre Forest.

The man is described as white, aged 18-20, and of scruffy appearance.

He spoke with a lisp.

"In this case, the occupants of both addresses were suspicious and did the right thing by refusing to allow this man in," said a police spokesman.

"There have been a number of suspicious incidents across the Wyre Forest area in which people have tried to gain access to homes by claiming there is a problem with the water or with the phone, or offering to carry out work.

"Our advice to householders is to always use a door chain or spyhole, and ask to see identification," they added.