People who live near Tonbridge and Sevenoaks are being warned about fraudsters posing as police officers after two residents were conned into handing over money.

Between December 1 and 3, the victims were contacted by people claiming to be officers at the Metropolitan Police.

One victim was told a person had been arrested with a cloned bank card for their account and was persuaded to withdraw cash and pass it to a courier to keep it safe.

The second was deceived into withdrawing money and passing it to a person they thought was a police officer who said they would check for forgeries.

Chief Inspector Mark Stubberfield of the Sevenoaks Community Safety Unit said: "We are asking residents to beware of fraudsters who can be very persuasive when they call on the telephone pretending to be a bank or building society employee, police officer or other public official.

"You should always be cautious of callers you don't know and if somebody contacts you stating they are a police officer and tells you to withdraw cash and pass it to a courier at your house or other location, end the call immediately.

"Leave your phone for five minutes to clear the line from the fraudster and then contact the police.

"A police officer would never ask for bank card details or money over the phone or at the door."

Anybody with information about the incidents is urged to call 01622 604100 quoting crime reference 46/215876/20.

For advice contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit their website.

To report suspicious activity call 101 or 999 if there is a crime in progress. You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or use their online form.

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