Four people have been arrested on suspicion of fraud after elderly people were targeted in phone scams, including one pensioner who had her life savings stolen.

Two men and two women were arrested on Wednesday after police stopped an Audi in Webb Rise, Stevenage.

The arrests follow a number of reports from people living in Stevenage and North Herts who have received calls during September where someone has claimed to be from their bank and said they were investigating fraudulent activity.

In one incident a Hitchin woman in her late 70s was tricked into meeting a courier and handing over her life savings, amounting to thousands of pounds,

On Tuesday two further women – who are are both in their 90s and from Letchworth and Hitchin respectively – were persuaded to hand over their bank cards to couriers following similar fraudelent phone calls. Money was later withdrawn from both their accounts.

A man and woman, both aged 23 and from Stevenage, have been released on bail until November in connection with the scams.

A 24-year-old woman, also from Stevenage, was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis as well as fraud, while a 22-year-old man of no fixed address was detained for obstructing police and possessing a bladed article. The pair have also been bailed until next month.

Det Sgt Ian Sheridan from the Stevenage Local Crime Unit said: “We will continue with our robust approach towards anyone suspected of being involved with phone scams, particularly as those targeted are the elderly and vulnerable.

“While arrests are continuing to be made, I would urge people to remain aware of the scams and be suspicious of any unexpected phone calls they receive.

“We need to continue to raise awareness of telephone scams and I would therefore ask everyone to share the following advice with their relatives, friends and neighbours. If you believe you’ve been targeted by a phone scam please contact us.”

For more about the phone scams and how to avoid becoming a victim, visit www.herts.police.uk/PhoneScams.