Warning over bogus health visitor

Parents are being warned to be on their guard after a woman pretending to be a health visitor tried to examine children at two homes in Oxfordshire.

The woman called on two families in Faringdon and said she needed to do a health check on their children.

Police are certain both incidents - the first on 22 May and the latest last week - are linked.

Officers said families should be extra vigilant and if they became suspicious of a caller they should call police.

You should be suspicious if a stranger comes to your door claiming to be a health visitor without an appointment Det Sgt Chris Biddle

In the most recent incident the mother said she did not have time for the appointment and would rearrange it.

But when she called her health centre, it had no record of the visit or the woman.

Det Sgt Chris Biddle said: "This is the second time this has happened in Faringdon and we are concerned about it.

"Health visitors will always make appointments and carry identification.

"They are also known to local families so you should be suspicious if a stranger comes to your door claiming to be a health visitor without an appointment.

"If such an incident occurs then please call police immediately on 999 and don't let them into your home."

The woman is white, aged about 30, 5ft 7in (1.69m), with fair hair and dark roots cut in a shoulder-length bob.

She spoke with a local accent, carried a briefcase, and wore a red top and a dark skirt.