BOGUS callers posing as council officials have been targeting elderly residents in Redditch.

Two incidents had previously been reported in neighbouring Bromsgrove, with men posing as council or BDHT officers asking for money to perform home repairs.

Police say a similar incident has now been reported in Redditch, where a man in his 90s opened his house two two men on Wednesday, March 9.

The men said there was a blockage in his drain that needed clearing. The resident asked for ID and the men, who were wearing high vis vests, shouted at him.

The man who spoke to the residents is described as being white, well built, about 5ft 8inches (1m 73cm) tall, with short black hair. He looked to be in his 50s and spoke with a local accent. It's thought that the men drove away in a grey transit van type vehicle.

Detective Constable Ian Tomlinson said: "No legitimate council or utilities official will ever approach you at home and ask you for money to repair or maintain your property. The householders did absolutely the right thing by reporting the bogus callers to us."

In none of these cases did work need doing on the householders' properties.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident reference 0321S of 5 March, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.