A WARNING has been issued by police for elderly residents to be vigilant after conmen selling poor quality fish were reported in Barnsley.

South Yorkshire Police say they have received ‘numerous’ reports from people in the town, including Cudworth and Darfield, about a group of men knocking on doors.

It’s claimed they are targeting the elderly, who often live alone, before pressuring them into buying fish via a hand-held chip and pin machine often for ‘hundreds of pounds’.

A police spokesman said: “The fish is poor quality and the men appear to be using a white Ford Transit-style van. The receipts given show the company name as Northern Sea, Framwellgate Moor, Durham.

“Although it is believed these men are not local to South Yorkshire and are committing offences across the UK, residents are reminded to be vigilant of such scams and should any persons attend attempting to sell such fish that they be treated with caution.

“Enquiries are ongoing into these offences but should anyone have any information on these crimes please call 101.

“You do not have to leave your name or number and all calls are treated in strictest confidence or call Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111.”