Norfolk's police and crime commissioner has hit out at a 'despicable' bank scam in which an elderly woman was targeted.

Eastern Daily Press: Picture John Stillwell/PA Wire.Picture John Stillwell/PA Wire.

Lorne Green said he was shocked at the crime, in which a con man cheated the Norwich resident out of an amount of cash by claiming to be a police officer.

Mr Green said we all had a duty to watch out for elderly residents, who were often vulnerable targets for fraud.

He said: 'This is a despicable crime.

'It's important that we do what we can to increase the resilience of those in our communities that are most vulnerable.

'We have to make sure that anything suspicious is reported to the police at the first sign of anything suspicious, because they take these sorts of crimes very seriously.'

In the incident, a man called the resident claiming he was 'Sergeant Roy', a police officer from Watford Police Station who was investigating a fraud involving two Polish men.

He also referred to a 'Superintendent West'.

MORE: Man claiming to be police sergeant scams elderly Norwich resident into handing over large amount of moneyThe caller said the Polish men had taken a large amount of money from the victim's bank account and then deposited counterfeit money back into it. He then asked the victim to attend a bank in Norwich to withdraw the large amount of money for 'forensic evidence gathering'.

'Sergeant Roy' then told the victim a police courier would attend their address to collect the money.

Chief Superintendent Mike Fawcett said: 'Unfortunately on this occasion money was handed over.

'Please be aware that police or bank staff will never ask you to divulge your card pin number, the amount held in your account or for you to withdraw any money.

'If someone contacts you claiming to be a police officer and you have concerns about their authenticity - ask for their name, station and collar number. Tell them you need to confirm their identity and hang up. Then call 101 asking to be put through to that named officer.

'These offenders will target elderly and vulnerable people so please be mindful of friends and family who may be liable to this type of call and let them know the advice above.

'If you receive such a call do not provide any security details, end the call and inform your local police on 101 or get in touch with Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.'