POLICE are investigating a series of hoax calls in which someone claiming to be a police officer has called people to tell them a loved one has been killed in a road accident.

The caller, who has been ringing people in the East Riding and Humberside area, claims to be an officer from Humberside Police.

Several people reported receiving such calls on Thursday.

Detective Inspector Andy Robinson said: "The calls were informing them of the death of a loved one in a fatal road traffic collision which is a very distressing call for anyone to receive.

“I would like to reassure people that we are treating these as hoax calls and take matters of this nature extremely seriously.

“As police officers, we would never contact a member of the public by telephone to inform them of such a tragic and distressing incident.

“If you are contacted by somebody claiming to be a police officer, always ask which police force they are calling from, then if you have concerns call 101 on a different telephone."

Humberside Police are appealing for anyone who may have information, or who has received a similar call, to contact them on the non-emergency number 101 quoting log 588 of Thursday May 6.