A WARNING has been sent out to residents in York about bogus door-to-door callers – who are pretending to be criminals.

People living in Fulford have said callers to their homes are trying to sell products or services by posing as offenders or ex-offenders working on a project backed by the Probation Service.

York and North Yorkshire Probation Trust has warned it does not operate such schemes and have advised residents not to buy goods from anybody who claims to be involved in a project of this type.

Anybody approached by a caller claiming to be working under the authority of the trust should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101 and provide as much detail as possible about the person and the business they say they are representing.

The force says residents should always ask to see identification whenever a stranger calls at the door, or phone the company they claim to be from to make sure they are genuine.

Police also said legitimate door-to-door sellers will always have proof of identity. However, the Probation Trust does not issue identity badges to offenders.