FOREIGN residents in Southampton are being targeted by a gang pretending to be police officers, say Hampshire Constabulary.

Detectives hunting the gang say they have struck several times over the past week, each time trying to trick their way into the homes of people who have recently moved to the UK.

The gang claim to be members of the "Hampshire Immigration Police" and then ask to be let in, telling householders they have official police business to investigate.

Once inside, they try to pressure their victims into giving them personal identification details or bank statements from, which officers believe they are then intending to use to commit criminal fraud.

Police intelligence officers are trying to establish whether the gang have already managed to use details taken from their victims, none of whom have been named, but say it could take days or even weeks before the information is used fraudulently.

Hampshire Constabulary has also now issued an urgent warning to residents across the county, but particularly those living in central Southampton, to be on their guard against the bogus police officers.

So far the gang have struck at least five times.

Although the crimes have been limited to the St Mary's area of the city so far, officers fear people living outside the district will also now be targeted.

A spokesman for the force, said: "There is not a Hampshire Immigration Police Service and those claiming to be from it are thought to be trying to get identification details from people for criminal purposes.

"We would advise residents that if such people call at their homes, they should not let them in, but call the real police on 999.

"We would also like to hear from anyone else who believes they too have been the target of this gang - whether they let them in or not.

"A real police officer will always show you their ID card and will be happy for you to check it. You can also call the main Hampshire Police Constab-ulary number on 0845 045 4545 to further check if an officer is real."