POLICE have issued a warning to residents after reports emerged of a bogus engineer gaining access to a property.

Essex Police have warned residents to be aware after the force received a report of a man pretending to be a Scottish Power engineer gaining access to

Essex Police posted on their Castle Point and Rochford Facebook page: "Do you know who you are letting in?

"Always check and confirm the identity of a cold caller to your address before letting them in.

"A genuine caller will be happy to wait.

"We have received a report of a male purporting to be an engineer from Scottish Power gaining access to a property in Rayleigh on Wednesday, 13th November at around 11am.

"He asked the home owner to obtain meter readings for him but the victim refused. The male left when requested to do so.

"He is described as a white male, 55 - 60 years old, around 6 foot tall wearing a black beanie hat, sunglasses and a high visibility jacket.

"If you have any information please contact us on 101, quoting investigation reference 42/180618/19."

A spokesman for Scottish Power, said: "We would urge people to always ask for ID when people knock at the door.

"If they feel uncomfortable doing so, please close the door."