POLICE in West Oxfordshire have warned residents following a rise in cold callers.

An alert sent out yesterday said over the past week, Trading Standards have seen a spike in local reports of cold calling to do work, especially gardening, washing roofs and cleaning guttering.

It added: "High amounts of money are being paid in cash to these individuals and they are proving hard to trace."

People are warned not to engage with people who try and sell things at their door and instead call police on 101 or Trading Standards on 03454 040506.