An arrest has been made after a 90-year-old was conned out of £9,000 by a man claiming to be from the police.

Earlier this week, Swadlincote Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they want to talk to in connection with the crime which happened last Friday (March 5) in Coton in the Elms.

Now they say that the response from the local community has been so good that an arrest was made just days after the image was made public.

Swadlincote's Safer Neighbourhood Team posted about the developments on their Facebook page today (Thursday).

The post reads: "The Safer Neighbourhood Team wanted to say a BIG thank you to our community.

"We asked our community to share out our fraud post regarding a 90-year-old victim who had over £9,000 stolen.

"The post was shared over 188 times! (Amazing).

"Thanks to your response, and some brilliant work by Pcso Gutberlet (Batman), Pcso Coldicott, Pcso McMillan and our Vulnerable Fraud Team, who identified a suspect, an arrest was made.

"We cannot divulge any further information whilst the investigation is ongoing."

The police warned all elderly and vulnerable people to be aware of calls from anyone saying they are from the police and asking for money.

A post on the Swadlincote Safer Neighbourhood Team Facebook page this week gave the background to the crime and said: "On Friday 5th March, a 90-year-old victim was contacted by a male stating he was from Guildford Police.

"The victim was told about an investigation regarding fraud at his bank and was talked into withdrawing £5,000 in cash to assist with the investigation.

"The victim has withdrawn the money and has been asked by the suspect caller to put any cash in his property with another £4,000 for a police courier to collect.

"A male courier collected over £9000 on the same date 05/03/21.

"The courier was described as follows: White male, approx. 5'8, slim to average build for his height, short black hair and aged approx. 30 years.

"He was wearing all black with a high vis tabard.

"Sgt Nizzer is asking residents to be alert and make elderly or vulnerable people in their families aware of this scam.

"If anyone receives such a call or anything similar, they should not give out any personal information, or arrange to hand over any money.

"They should hang up the call immediately."