POLICE and social care services in Gloucestershire are urging residents to be vigilant after a woman falsely claiming to be a social worker called on a house in Quedgeley and asked to carry out checks on a baby.

The incident happened in Deerhurst Place in Quedgeley at around 2pm on Wednesday April 23.

A woman, who said she was from Gloucestershire Social Services and was carrying a false badge, visited a mother at the address and asked to check on her four-month-old son, saying there were concerns for his welfare.

While no physical contact took place between the the bogus social worker and the baby, she did check the baby's heart beat with a stethoscope.

The woman is described as white but with "slightly tanned skin," of slim build, in her late 20s/early 30s, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins tall, with dark shoulder-length bobbed hair. She had freckles on the left side of her face.

She wore a black trouser suit with a cream 'V' neck blouse with frills on the front, and was carrying a black zip-up A4 folder.

Detective Inspector Andy Dangerfield said: "We don't know what the motivation for this was but clearly it is very concerning.

"Our inquiries are ongoing. We have visited houses in the area to warn local people and would urge everyone to be vigilant.

"Remember, do not accept people into your house unless you are 100% sure you know who they are. You can always tell them to stay outside until you have made your own inquiries and if you are suspicious in any way then call police.

"We have liaised with our partners at Gloucestershire social care services and they have alerted their staff to this incident.

"If you recognise the description of this woman or have any information please call us on 101, quoting incident 256 of April 23."

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said: “When a social worker calls at your house you will be shown an ID badge, and the reasons for the visit will be explained to you. If you doubt whether the visit is genuine you should call Gloucestershire County Council on 01452 425000 and the visit will be verified.”