Bogus council worker steals handbag

Police warned householders to be wary of unexpected callers after a bogus council worker stole cash and a handbag from a home near Fakenham.A man entered the property on King George Road in Hempton through an unlocked front door on Tuesday, claiming he had come to fix the boiler.

Police warned householders to be wary of unexpected callers after a bogus council worker stole cash and a handbag from a home in Hempton.

A man entered the property on King George Road through an unlocked front door on Tuesday last week, claiming he had come to fix the boiler.

He asked one of the occupants to knock on the wall of an adjoining room, but when she returned to the living room she noticed the man had taken her handbag and hidden it in his jacket.

A second intruder came from upstairs as both men left, and cash was later found to be missing from the bedroom.

The men were described as smart and wearing black coats. One was aged 17-20 and the other 35-40.

Norfolk County Council's trading standards officers advise that councils and utilities companies usually make contact by telephone or letter if they plan to carry out repairs, and they warn householders always to ask for identification.

Anyone with information, or who wishes to report suspicious activity, should call police on 0845 456 4567 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

For advice about traders calling at the door, call the Consumer Direct helpline on 08454 040506.