A TRIO of teenagers from Redditch have been arrested following a series of fraud incidents in the town last week.

A 19-year-old and two 15-year-olds from Redditch, as well as a 16-year-old from London, were arrested on Sunday, August 31 following incidents in which a cold-caller rang residents pretending to be a police officer.

The caller urged the victim to hand their bank card to a courier or taxi driver and telephone their bank using the number of the back of the card.

Although the victims were calling the correct number, the scammer kept the line open so they actually spoke to another member of the group posing as a bank employee.

Between Wednesday, August 27 and Sunday, August 31 14 such incidents were reported in north Worcestershire, four of which involved the suspects fraudulently obtaining money from the victims.

Detective Inspector with West Mercia Police Jill Fowler said: “We would like to thank members of the public and the media for helping to raise awareness of courier fraud over the past few days.

“There were seven reported offences in Redditch over the weekend and none of them were successful.

"It is clear that the important security messages have been getting out and people have been extra vigilant.

“We would encourage people to continue to be vigilant and report offences to the police.”

Three of those arrested have been released on police bail until November 1.

The other has been bailed until October 10.

Police enquiries are continuing.