Bedfordshire Police is warning businesses and rural properties about a number of incidents involving blackmail.

A number of businesses and rural properties, including farms, have been victims of blackmail and extortion by individuals falsely claiming to be Highways staff or similar.

The suspects are believed to arrive and leave gravel, stones or road surfacing material on driveways or nearby, stating they are carrying out roadworks and offering leftover materials.

Shortly afterwards, the imposters demand large sums of money as payment and harass victims if payment is not received – this is blackmail and extortion.

Bedfordshire Police is taking these incidents seriously, and several lines of enquiry are being carried out.

If you receive a suspicious visit or call from someone you believe is not genuine, do not make any payment and end contact immediately.

If the suspects are on your premises and you feel you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

For anything else, capture all evidence such as CCTV, vehicle makes, models, registration numbers and descriptions of offenders and submit a report to Police via 101, webchat, or online, quoting Operation Nimbostratus: Provide more information to be added to a crime report | Bedfordshire Police

You can also find crime prevention advice on the Police website: Annoying phone calls or unwanted visits | Bedfordshire Police