A WARNING has been issued after a bogus social worker gained access to a house in the Guisborough area.

The incident, which has been reported to the police, happened after a woman produced a card, claiming to be her council identification, and said she wanted to raise concerns over a child care issue.

She was allowed into the house went in to an upstairs room during the brief visit. Nothing was taken, and it was only when a genuine health visitor later arrived at the house that it was established there had been a bogus caller.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council stressed the need for residents to check the identification of any unexpected caller.

Head of children's services, Barbara Shaw, said: "We have been advised that somebody purporting to be a social worker gained access to a house in the Guisborough area.

"We want to re-enforce the message that any authorised employees would have an identification badge, with a photograph and a contact number. If anyone is unsure, they should rind the contact number and check.

"The woman involved did not realise she had been the victim of a bogus caller until the health visitor arrived soon after, and that realisation has obviously caused her some distress."