Police hunt for bogus social worker after woman examines new mother's baby by showing false ID badge to gain entry to their home

Woman suspect listened to baby boy's heartbeat with a stethoscope



She told mother there were concerns for the child's welfare

Police ask parents to be vigilant after the incident at 2pm on Wednesday

'We don't know what the motivation for this was,' admits detective



Suspect: This is an e-fit of the bogus social worker who examined a baby after tricking her way into a family home by showing a fake ID badge

Parents have been told to be vigilant after a bogus social worker called at a house and examined a baby.

The woman, who claimed to be from Gloucestershire social services, tricked her way into the home in Quedgeley with fake ID and listened to the child's heartbeat with a stethoscope.

She told the mother there were concerns for the welfare of her four-month-old son.

Police have warned families in the Quedgely area to be vigilant, and add that they do not yet understand the motivation behind the woman's actions.



The have issued an e-fit of the suspect, who was described as white , between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 7ins tall, with dark shoulder-length bobbed hair.

She turned up at the child's home at 2pm on Wednesday and asked to carry out checks and listen to the boy's heartbeat with a stethoscope.

Detective Inspector Andy Dangerfield, of Gloucestershire Police, said the woman did not have any physical contact with the baby.

'We don't know what the motivation for this was but clearly it is very concerning,' Mr Dangerfield said.

'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.'

Be vigilant: Deerhurst Place in Quedgeley, where the woman tricked her way into a mother's home

The suspect is described as white with 'slightly tanned skin', in her late 20s or early 30s, between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 7ins tall, with dark shoulder-length bobbed hair.

She had freckles on the left side of her face and turned up on the family's doorstep dressed in a black trouser suit with a cream v-neck and blouse with frills.

Mr Dangerfield asked anyone with information about the woman to contact the force on 101.