Bogus police officer alert

A BOGUS police officer has tried to trick a firm of lawyers into handing over cash for charity.

The conman, claiming to be from "Midlothian police", called a solicitors' office in Edinburgh and asked for donations for local children.

Staff suspected the caller was a fraudster and challenged him, at which point he hung up.

A police spokesman said of the call on Wednesday morning: "Local businesses and residents should be wary of any similar approaches and report any suspicious incidents to police. Police officers, whether they are on or off-duty, carry their warrant cards and will be happy to produce them if requested."