Hunt for bogus health visitor

From the Salisbury Journal, first published Friday 27th Jan 2006.

A POLICE hunt was launched for a bogus health visitor last week, after a smartly dressed man called on a young mother in Tidworth, asking to see her baby son.

He called at the woman's home just after 2pm on Thursday and told her he needed to check the child. But the mother was instantly suspicious and shut the door on him and called the police.

A police spokesman said afterwards: "We are investigating the possibility that the caller might have been genuine. However, he offered no identification, so we are treating the incident as suspicious."

The caller is described as white, about 6ft tall, of slim build with short dark hair, in his late 30s or early 40s and well spoken. He was smartly dressed in a suit and was wearing a tie and carrying a clipboard.

Police said the incident highlighted the need for people to be wary of callers and letting people into their homes.

The spokesman said: "Any legitimate caller will be carrying formal identification and will not mind a telephone call of verification being made to their organisation.

"But, if in doubt, call 999."

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