POLICE are warning people to be on their guard against bogus callers after a council worker's identification badge was stolen.

The female worker had the Darlington Borough Council photo badge, which is used to prove she is a genuine caller, stolen from her car while it was parked on Geneva Road, Darlington.

Inspector Philip Curtis, of Darlington Police, said: "It's just causing us a bit of concern that it might be used to gain entry to houses by bogus callers - people will see the genuine ID card and think it's okay.

"Although it has a photo on it, that could be superimposed by another photo. I would ask people letting council employees into their house to check the badges closely.

"We don't want to panic people - council officers have got to go about their everyday business - but just closely check that the badge is genuine."

Anyone who is approached by the bogus caller or has any information is asked to call police on (01325) 467681.