VALE residents are being warned to be on their guard after three people received calls allegedly from West Mercia police, demanding money for the late payment of speeding fines.

In all three cases a substantial fine was demanded and the people were told the alleged outstanding amount would increase if it was not paid immediately.

All three people, none of whom was liable for a speeding fine, dialled 1471 to check the source of the call but the number had been withheld.

Police spokesman Richard Bull said: "Members of the community can be assured that West Mercia Constabulary does not make calls like this, since the responsibility for the administration of speeding and parking fines rests with the Central Ticketing Office and not the police.

"It should also be borne in mind that the Central Ticketing Office normally communicates with members of the public about speeding and parking fines - and any other matters relating to unpaid fines - by correspondence and not by telephone."

He added that if a member of the community is concerned about the validity of a call allegedly from a West Mercia police officer they should check this out by asking the officer for his or her collar number or phoning West Mercia police on 08457 444 888.