RESIDENTS are being urged to look out for elderly and vulnerable people in the Bitterne Park area after reports of suspicious cold-calling.

Police say a man was reported to have approached two elderly people on October 4.

He called at homes in Woodmill Lane and Litchfield Road, and told the occupants they had a rat problem. No cash was handed over, but one of the people wrote the man a cheque.

Officers are asking residents to be careful when dealing with door-to-door salespeople, to ask for written quotations in advance of any work being agreed, be wary of people who want to be paid in cash, and to report suspicious behaviour to police or Trading Standards.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.