Conmen pretending to be South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) officers are working their way around the district asking local residents for cash and encouraging them to disclose personal information.

In two cases young men with clipboards approached dog walkers in Bar Hill and Haslingfield and tried to falsely fine them £1,000 for dog fouling.

In the Melbourn and Bassingbourn area a driver was pulled over and told to turn around due to road closures, which were clearly not in place. A gentleman litter picking was stopped by two men and asked for personal details. He was told he had been reported to the council for fly tipping. A third case in this area involved a dog walker who was also asked for personal details. He was told his road would be closing and the council needed to use his garden to store equipment.

In each case the conmen have been wearing high visibility yellow jackets and driving an unmarked white van or an unmarked white pick-up truck.

SCDC’s portfolio holder for environmental services Cllr Sue Ellington said,

We would encourage all residents to take extra care. Always ask for identification and be especially wary if you are asked for money.

Genuine council officers will always show people their identification.

If anyone is suspicious about the identity of someone claiming to be from SCDC they should call the council on 08450 450 500 for confirmation.