Police are warning residents in the Witham area to be vigilant after reports of bogus callers operating in a new way.

Several residents in the west of the town, who regularly use a local window cleaning company, say they have received telephone calls from a man telling them he has bought the company which cleans their windows.

The caller then asked if it was alright for them to continue cleaning their windows.

A spokesman for Braintree police said: "One 84-year-old woman, from Cornel Close, who received one of these calls agreed for the cleaning company to continue to visit her home.

"But since the phone call, her window cleaning company has been round and she questioned them about the new ownership.

"They told her the company has not been bought and no-one new has joined the firm."

The police spokesman added: "We are making this information public so that people can be on their guard that bogus callers are out there and always trying new ways to get in to homes."

Anyone with information relating to these incidents can contact Witham police on 01376 551312.

Published Wednesday April 7, 2004

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