South Yorkshire Police issues warning over telephone calls from bogus police 'sergeant' – and the two names to look out for

Yesterday, three incidents were reported to the force, with officers believing the bogus sergeant to have been a fraudster attempting to obtain personal details.

On each occasion, the caller gave a police collar number and used the name ‘Thomas’ or ‘Baldwin’.

He said he was based at ‘Sheffield police station’ and told the people he called that they had a relative in police custody.

South Yorkshire Police said: “Three incidents have been reported from people notifying us that they have been contacted by a ‘sergeant’ from ‘Sheffield police station’, advising them they have a relative in custody.“The ‘sergeant’ gives a collar number and claims to be called ‘Thomas’ or ‘Baldwin’. The calls are not genuine, and we believe the suspects may be trying to obtain personal details about the person being contacted.

“We'll never call you and ask for your details in this way.

“If you have received a call and you are unsure if it's genuine, hang up and call us back on 101 from a different phone to double check. If you don’t have an alternative phone available, wait 30 minutes after you have hung up before you call us back as fraudsters may stay on the line.

“If you have elderly or vulnerable relatives, please pass this information along to them.”

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of the scam should contact Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.