LOCAL Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman, claiming to be a health visitor, visited an address in Bordon on Monday, between 9-20 am and 10-54 am. When the occupant of the house answered the door, a woman told her she was a health visitor from Bordon and had come to do an eight-month check on her daughter. The mother did not have an appointment booked with a health visitor, so challenged the woman, asking her for some identification. The woman said she would go to her car to get her ID, but never returned. The mother immediately contacted her health centre which confirmed that no appointments were booked for a health visitor to attend her address. The bogus health visitor is described as being white and in her 20s. She was about five feet three inches tall with short dark hair, a "sunken" face and of a skinny build. She was smartly dressed in a dark jacket, dark skirt and black tights, and she was carrying a black book that looked like a diary Police are appealing for anyone who saw a woman matching this description in or around the area of Birch Close, or who has experience of any similar incidents to contact them. Officers would also like to remind people of the force's safer homes advice: • Don't open the door to anyone before you've checked who it is – look out of the window or use a spy hole in your door. • If you open the door, keep the chain on while you find out who is calling and what they want. • If you're not expecting someone and you don't know the caller, don't let them into your home, no matter what they say to you. If a caller is genuine they will understand your concerns. • If someone is asking for a favour, such as to use your toilet, borrow a pen or retrieve a ball, don't let them in. Instead, direct them to a shop, office or public place. It's only natural to want to help someone, but, sadly, that's one of the techniques often used by distraction burglars. • If you have any concerns about someone who has called at your door, call the police immediately. If you have a chance try to note what they look like and any vehicle they have with them, so police can investigate. • If someone from a company calls at your door, even if you are expecting them, ask to see their identification and check it thoroughly. If you are blind or partially sighted, ask a friend or neighbour whom you trust to help you if someone calls at your door. • If you were not expecting anyone, explain that you need to check they are legitimate and ask them to wait outside for a few minutes. Take a note of their name and the company they claim to be working for and then close and lock the door. • Look up the phone number for the company in a telephone directory and check they have an employee of that name and that they are visiting you on legitimate business. • Never just take someone's word for it and don't use any phone number they give you to check their identity – you don't know if it's a genuine number. • Many utility companies operate a password scheme, where anyone calling from that company will give you a previously agreed password so you know they're legitimate. Make sure you take advantage of these schemes. Anyone with any information should contact DC Richard Skillern at Alton CID on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
