Dorset Police received a report at 10.39am on 29 March relating to suspicious activity involving suspected rogue traders in the area of Oaklands Close.

Officers attended and found an elderly victim in the company of two men. The victim reportedly told officers that the men were taking them to the bank to withdraw cash. The men had allegedly attended their address claiming to be from the electricity board and stated that the victim owed them money.

The two men, aged in their 20s and from Oxfordshire, were arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and remain in custody.

Officers also located a man with a vehicle in the area of Dewlands Way, with the car reported to be bearing false number plates. The man, aged in his 30s and also from Oxfordshire, was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation. He also remains in custody and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

Sergeant Jane Moore, from the East Dorset Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Officers responded swiftly to this incident and we have arrested a number of individuals.

“I hope this demonstrates that we will take action in response to allegations of this nature and would urge anyone with information relating to reports of similar activity in the area to please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220049304. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.