Suspicious callers in Market Drayton

Police have urged householders not to allow any cold callers into their homes and always ask for identification.

It follows a spate of residents contacting police after people knocked on their doors on April 2.

A uniformed male, described as aged in his late 50s,short, stocky, with balding grey hair and a stubble beard, carrying an illegible ID card, called at a house in Frogmore Road, Market Drayton. He claimed to represent British Gas and asked to read the meters. The householder checked with British Gas and was told that no such call had been authorised.

Local police also received reports that two females were calling door-to-door in the Abbotsgate Estate, Market Drayton, offering advice to householders on ways to reduce their gas and electricity bills. A check showed that the company they represented was genuine and that seven doorstep callers were in the area. However, further enquiries suggested that the scheme might be a scam.

A suspicious door-step caller was also reported in Buntingsdale Avenue, Market Drayton. He had asked to be allowed into the house to read meters. Enquiries suggested that he was part of the group claiming to offer financial advice.

Officers said people should never allow cold callers into the house and should not give them personal and bank account details to cold callers. Suspicions about people, vehicles or activity should be immediately reported to police on 101.