Bogus caller warning in Lyme Regis

It comes after a man called at a property in the town on Monday between noon and 12.30pm claiming to be from the water board investigating why the resident was using more water than expected.

He was allowed in and looked at the pipes under the kitchen sink and appeared to fiddle with them. Bizarrely, he then presented the resident with a shower head in a brown paper bag before leaving.

The resident then contacted their water utility company. They were told the firm had not sent anyone to their address and they had no concerns over their water usage and suspected it was a bogus caller, and so the resident called the police. In this incident, it does not appear that anything was stolen.

The man is described as being between aged 35-45, of slim build with mousy hair, clean shaven and smartly dressed. He had an official looking lanyard around his neck and was described as having an Eastern European accent.

Often distraction burglars make up stories to gain access to your property so Dorset Police advise residents to:-

NEVER let anyone into your property unless you know them.

REMEMBER that representatives from utility companies, local authorities or the police will always happily show their identification and will be happy to wait whilst you check they are who they say they are.

DO NOT accept a phone number they have provided to verify the individual. Use central office numbers from your utility bills, the internet or your local directory to find a telephone number. You can also keep your account numbers handy and ask the person to provide this number.

If you have any concerns about an individual do not let them into your property.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55210044583. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.