West Mercia Police have issued a warning following a rise in reports of courier fraud.

Police say that fraudsters impersonate officers from several police units, and scam people into parting with money or revealing their PIN codes.

The crime, dubbed 'courier fraud', primarily targets the elderly and susceptible, but anyone can fall victim.

Police have urged residents to spread information about fake callers, particularly those vulnerable to such hoaxes and have iterated that no officer from any force or department will ever ask anyone to hand over money or transfer funds, regardless of their name or unit.

Police said to residents in the region that these types of crimes are being investigated, and they want to hear from people who feel they have been contacted in this manner.

They add that the scam can be very complicated, convincing and malicious, and that anyone suspecting they are being hoaxed should tell someone straight away.

In extreme scenarios where a crime is in progress, such as sharing bank details, handing over cash or scheduled visits by the fraudsters, the police urge dialing 999 immediately.

Information on identifying fraud can be sourced from West Mercia police's official website (https://www.westmercia.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/).