Businesses across Norfolk are being warned to be vigilant following a spate of bogus callers from people posing as police officers.

Businesses across Norfolk are being warned to be vigilant following a spate of bogus callers posing as police officers.

A number of firms have received calls from offenders claiming to be police officers and asking for credit card details.

On Thursday officers received reports from three businesses of a man claiming to be an officer - in one case a detective inspector - asking for such information.

In each case the caller asked if the shop or business had carried out any card transactions because there had been a spate of stolen cards. Police inquiries have established that there are no officers investigating this type of case and therefore businesses are being urged to be on their guard.

Det Insp Matt Dyson, of the force intelligence bureau, said: "An officer would not ask for credit card details over the phone. People should never give out their credit card details in this way.

"If you are unsure who the caller is ask them for their details and contact the organisation or company concerned yourself - if they are a legitimate caller they will provide you with such information."

In two of the cases, skip hire companies in the Norwich area were targeted. The third case involved a flower shop from the Yarmouth area. Earlier this week officers issued a similar warning after three florists were contacted in just a few days.

Contact police on 0845 456 4567.