BUSINESSES across the North-East have been warned to be wary following a telephone scam involving a bogus police officer seeking cash donations.

It follows the receipt of an unsolicited call by a business in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, on Monday, from a "well spoken" man claiming the company had previously donated money to the police to use to fund visits to schools.

The man receiving the call was asked for money which he was told would be used to market the business in a publication.

Shortly afterwards two other similar calls were also reported as having been received by businesses in Newcastle.

In one, the caller claimed to be from Northumbria Police and asked for a cash donation.

The caller in the third incident also claimed to be a police officer and asked the business to pay for an advert in a schools publication.

In all three cases the recipient of the calls became immediately suspicious, turned down the request for money and reported the matter to police.

Detective Chief Inspector Max Black, of the Northumbria force, said: "We want to make businesses aware of this scam and to make sure that anyone who receives such a call does not part with cash, and reports the matter to police.

"We’re investigating these cases to try to track down the person or persons responsible.

"I want to make it clear than no officer would call businesses, or anyone else, asking for a cash donation."

He added: "Please remain vigilant and don’t fall victim to this scam."

The warning was made across the force area and beyond, should the caller/callers attempt to con cash from businesses further afield.

Anyone with information is asked to ring police of (03456) 043043.