Scammers have been using information about missing pets posted online to trick heartbroken owners into paying vast sums of money for things like made up vet surgeries.

After monitoring vulnerable pet owners using social media posts, posters and online adverts for lost animals, the scammers will contact owners pretending to be veterinary staff.

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The callers will pretend the pet has been found, but say it is seriously injured and requires urgent surgery, pressuring the owner into paying a large vet bill over the phone before they can be reunited.

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “We’ve been made aware of this particularly heartless scam affecting people who are advertising their missing pets.

FILE PHOTO. Police have issued a warning (Image: TVP)

“This is a cruel tactic that preys on the emotional distress and love people have for their pets.”

Police advised that people never make payments over the phone to caller who has contacted them unexpectedly, and to verify any claims made independently, for example, by contacting the vet surgery they claim to be from using a trusted phone number.

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The force also advises that people should ‘be wary’ of pressure tactics, like being rushed into making a payment, ask for proof from any caller and never share personal or financial details with unknown callers.

Any instances of fraud or a suspected scam should be reported to Action Fraud.

The police added: “Scammers are exploiting people at their most vulnerable – let’s not give them the opportunity.”

Initailly debuting back in 2021, Jeremy Clarkson’s farming documentary has found global success.

Fans all over the world have tuned in via Amazon’s streaming service to watch the former Top Gear and Grand Tour presenter’s agricultural adventures.

Set at his own Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, the series also covers his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog, which opened in Asthall back in 2024.

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Viewers have been eagerly waiting to find out the series five release date ever since filming officially wrapped in September 2025.

Now, a confirmed date has been given by Prime Video this afternoon (Monday, April 20), with the first episodes set to be released in June.

Despite previous suggestions that some of the series would be coming out in May, it has now been officially stated to start on Wednesday, June 3.

This came in a social media post across the Prime Video accounts, which said: “Not long now… Clarkson’s Farm Series 5 drops 3rd June.”

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Across the first four series of Clarkson’s Farm, Mr Clarkson documents his attempt to run Diddly Squat, after his tenant farmer retires, quickly discovering how hard it is to grow crops, manage sheep and turn a profit.

The early series follow a full farming year as he battles the weather, machinery breakdowns, sheep chaos and tight margins, while gradually adding things like wilding projects, a farm shop and a restaurant that repeatedly runs into planning rows.

Later episodes bring in new ventures such as pigs, goats, mushrooms and more “farm‑to‑fork” ideas, as he experiments with regenerative agriculture and searches for ways to make the mixed arable and livestock business financially viable.

By series four, Kaleb is away on tour, and Lisa is tied up with a new product line, leaving Clarkson to juggle the farm largely on his own, bring in a new farmhand, and even try to buy and revive a local pub as another strand of his attempt to keep Diddly Squat afloat.

People planning to use the county’s household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) have been warned of a series of short closures in May and June.

This is to enable essential work to be carried out, and Oxfordshire County Council will be shutting the centres for two days, although never at the same time.

Deep cleaning and essential maintenance will take place, including jet washing sites and structures, repainting lines and safety areas, and other general work.

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The closing dates are Thursday, May 7, and Friday, May 8, for Oakley Wood, near Wallingford.

For Alkerton, near Banbury, the centre will be closed on Monday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 12.

Ardley, near Bicester, will be shut on Thursday, May 14, and Friday, May 15, while Drayton, near Abingdon, will close on Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22.

Stanford in the Vale, near Faringdon, will shut on Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19, and Dix Pit, Stanton Harcourt, on Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday, June 3.

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All closures are on quieter weekdays to minimise disruption, and sites will reopen at 8am the following day.

The deep clean for Redbridge HWRC in Oxford will be carried out later in the year, and full details will be provided in due course.

Redbridge is also due to close for around three months in the summer for essential safety work.

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Customers are reminded that they must book a slot online on Oxfordshire County Council’s website before visiting their HWRC.

Bookings are available up to two weeks in advance or 30 minutes prior, subject to availability.

No booking slots will be available for those affected sites on the dates they are closed.

More information can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website, including details of alternative sites during the closures if visitors are unable to wait until their local site reopens.