Police are urging people to be vigilant after reports of bogus tradespeople targeting elderly and vulnerable residents across Sheffield.

South Yorkshire Police issued the warning following a number of recent reports of people being approached by workers claiming that repairs need to be carried out on their homes.

Officers said three separate reports were received last week alone.

One involved an elderly woman who was approached by people claiming to be roofers and telling her that work needed to be carried out on her roof.

An initial price was quoted and the workers returned the following day to carry out the work.

However, police said they then claimed to have discovered a fault and quoted a new, more expensive price.

The work was not completed and the suspects left with a cheque from the woman.

Fortunately, the woman contacted a relative who recognised that it was a scam and the cheque was cancelled before any money was taken.

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: “We are urging those with vulnerable or elderly relatives, to check they have not been approached by those posing as tradesmen, and to ensure due diligence checks are completed before any work is agreed to be done.”