A call for vigilance has been sent out to residents in the Tendring area after new reports of bogus callers.

The call comes as an initiative to combat bogus callers is launched by Tendring police.

The latest incident happened in the Seafields Road area of Clacton.

Insp Andy Hooke, of Clacton police, said two men in a white van called at a door and said they had come to do some painting.

He said they were convincing because they had the name of the woman who lived in the property.

Insp Hooke said the woman raised the alarm and the police were called.

Now 10,000 advisory cards are being distributed to pensioners and other vulnerable householders in a bid to crack down on this kind of bogus caller crime.

The cards, which cost £280 and are funded by Essex Police, also have the name of a person nominated by the resident for callers to contact to have their credentials checked.

Published Friday October 25, 2002

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