DORSET residents have lost more than a million pounds to fraudsters in phone scams in just a year, police have revealed.

Officers are calling on residents to be vigilant to potential fraud threats after a “significant number” of incidents in the county over the past year.

Around two million pounds was stolen from residents living in the South West - with more than half that money stolen from Dorset.

Now police bosses have urged locals to 'hang up on fraudsters'.

Offenders call their victims and tell them that their bank accounts have been compromised in some way.

The callers have a variety of sophisticated methods, including pretending to be police officers or banking advisors, to convince victims that they are legitimate.

On many occasions they have persuaded them to transfer or hand over large sums of cash.

Two people were arrested, in relation to a number of alleged telephone money scams within the Poole area, on March 2 this year, and have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

And on Tuesday, two men were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court for defrauding vulnerable people in the south west out of more than £88,000.

Abdul Shafee and Rahim Choudhury, both 19 and from London, were sentenced to 15 months and 38 months in prison respectively.

Call data analysis showed the mobile phones used to commit the frauds made a total of 510 landline calls in a matter of weeks.

Detective Chief Inspector Jez Noyce, of Dorset Police's Serious Crime Investigations Department, said: “We are making consistent progress with our ongoing investigations but I would urge the public to be highly aware of these types of crimes.

“In particular, we ask family members and friends to ensure that elderly and vulnerable people have been warned about these offences.

“I am also appealing to anyone who has experienced a similar call to those mentioned to report it to the police on 101.”

He added: “We are working alongside law enforcement partners across the region and are considering all investigative lines of enquiry and all options as to where this money is going.”

Officers have urged children, grandchildren, relatives and friends of the elderly and vulnerable to warn them of the scam.

Taxi company owners and drivers have also been asked to stay vigilant, especially if approached or asked to courier small packages to London on behalf of elderly people.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call is urged to hang up immediately, call 1471 and note the number before waiting for five minutes before using the line to call police on 101.

Residents have been warned to never give PIN or bank details out over the phone, never withdraw cash and send it anywhere via a courier or taxi, and never send bank cards anywhere via a courier or taxi.