Fake letter causes confusion

The letter says council tax may be going down in Barnstaple

Police are investigating after dozens of residents of a Devon town received a bogus letter telling them their council tax might be going down.

The letter has been sent to people living in the Sticklepath area of Barnstaple.

It purports to come from North Devon District Council and says that the authority is considering lowering the tax band for part of one particular street.

Council officers say the letter has nothing to do with them and they have had to explain it is bogus to several puzzled callers.

All our letters should have the logo at the top with the contact name of the officer Sharon Harrison, North Devon District Council

The letter gives the reason for the tax reduction as compensation for inconvenience caused by approval for a new house in Oakland Avenue.

The council has said it is assuming that the letter has come from someone aggrieved by the planning application for the house.

Council officer Sharon Harrison said individuals who receive it should contact the council.

She said: "We have now passed this through to the police to investigate formally for us.

"All our letters should have the logo at the top with the contact name of the officer, their phoned number and title.

"If there is anything that is different to that then it may not be an official letter and people should contact us and let us know so we can put a stop to this kind of communication."