Fraud detectives investigating bogus policemen suspected of targeted pensioners have arrested three men in Canterbury.

They were taken into custody after a warrant was executed at an address in Stodmarsh early this morning.

It follows a probe by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate Fraud Team into incidents where former rogue trader victims have subsequently been later visited by men claiming to be policemen who told them they had to pay court costs or VAT on the building work.

The victims, who are all aged in their seventies, told detectives that they had lost tens of thousands of pounds in the fraud.

Three men aged 34, 40 and 48-years-old have been arrested in connection with fraud offences. They are currently in custody.

Detective Sergeant Marc Cananur advised: "Always ask for the identification of any caller to your home.

"No genuine caller will mind you doing this. If you have any doubts about their identity, ask them to wait, close and lock your door behind you and call the organisation they claim to be from."

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