Norfolk trading standards bosses have warned businesses across Norfolk not to fall for a con involving people posing as police.

Watchdogs at Norfolk County Council have had reports of companies being cold called by someone offering advertising for a publication that they claim to be producing for “the police”.

Trading standards officers were made aware of the calls after the business run by Paul Rice, county councillor for South Smallburgh, was called. The caller purports to be from “the police”, but when questioned further has then claimed to be from a company putting together a publication “for the police”.

The publication is said to be a crime prevention book, which will be made available to local schools.

The caller tries to coerce the recipient into agreeing to take out advertising, which can be paid over the phone by credit card. Figures of �85 for a quarter page and �185 for a full page have been quoted.

After the initial call, Mr Rice reported the matter to Norfolk police – who confirmed that it was a scam

Mr Rice has received further calls and challenged the caller as to which force they are working for – one saying “one nationally” before han-ging up. The final call that he received undertook a different approach – with the caller claiming that Mr Rice’s firm had agreed to take out an advert and now needed to make payment.

Ann Jackson, Norfolk County Council’s senior trading standards officer, said: “These calls are from scamsters and are not related to a legitimate publication that Norfolk Constabulary are producing.”

She added: “Think carefully before agreeing to any unsolicited offers, they may not be suitable for your business needs and certainly do not give out your bank or credit card details over the phone.”