PARENTS are being warned after a bogus social worker called on two mothers and attempted to abduct their babies.

The mother of a two-month-old girl said the middle-aged woman knew her baby's first name and date of birth.

Even after the 33-year-old, from Stockton, shut the door in her face, the woman rang the doorbell five times.

Later in the day, police said a mother in Boosbeck, near Guisborough, east Cleveland, reported a similar incident.

She too, denied the woman access to her child after she became suspicious.

The Stockton mother, who asked not to be identified, said: "It is frightening, I am still shaking. She said she had come to remove (the baby) because it had been reported I was not looking after her properly. I knew that was not true, because I do."

She became suspicious when the caller could not show identification and did not know the baby's surname.

"I had been to the DHSS office, where someone may have overheard me give the baby's details, and I have spoken to a number of other people when someone could have been listening.

"What worries me is if I was followed. How have they got hold of my address? My fear is she will try for someone else's child." Both incidents took place on Wednesday.

Jane Humphreys, the head of social care at Stockton Borough Council, said: "We would warn parents and guardians to be on guard against situations such as this."

All council workers carry identification cards, and anyone with concerns about a caller's identity should verify them by ringing the appropriate authority. The caller was about 40, about 6ft, of medium-build with straight, shoulder-length black hair.

She wore a woollen hat, black three-quarter length coat, silver loop earrings and a black satchel-type bag. She may also have been driving a small, dark, hatchback car.

Detective Sergeant John Green of Redcar CID said: "Although these instances appear to be linked, we are keeping an open mind with regard to the woman's motive.

"She left the scene on both occasions when challenged regarding her identity, and this serves as a reminder to always verify the identity of persons calling at your door."

Anyone with information is asked to call (01642) 302626.