THREE men have been arrested after an alleged ‘rogue trader’ incident in a Vale village which saw an elderly man ‘forced’ to go to a bank to withdraw money.

The incident is alleged to have taken place at an address in Okeford Fitzpaine on Tuesday, October 25.

Dorset Police said they received a report at around 2.30pm of suspicious activity after a number of men using a white Transit tipper vehicle carried out work in the garden of the property.

The victim – a man aged in his 70s – was allegedly forced to go to a bank with the men to withdraw money for the work carried out at his address, they added.

Officers attended and three men from the East Dorset area – aged 32, 34 and 57 – were all arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

They have been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Jane Moore, of North Dorset police, said: “Officers responded swiftly to this incident and we have arrested a number of individuals.

“Our investigation is continuing and the victim is being supported by the location neighbourhood policing team, as well as his family.

“I would ask anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the vicinity around the relevant time to please come forward.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk/contact, or on 101, quoting incident number 55220173713.

They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.