A PENSIONER from Cam is warning other members of the public to be on their guard after she was threatened by a bogus telephone caller.

Alison Ham, 78, was called around 7.20pm on Wednesday, April 28, by a man claiming to be from Stroud District Council.

He said he was a noise abatement officer and that proceedings were being launched against Mrs Ham for excessive noise.

The caller, who only gave his name as Jonathan and according to Mrs Ham sounded younger than 30. went on to say that bailiffs would be calling round to her house as a result.

However, Mrs Ham knew that she had done nothing wrong and instantly saw through what she called "the caller's stupid spiel".

She said: "I know I'm not disturbing anybody because I just don't make any noise - it was a ridiculous call.

"I was lucky that I had two friends with me at the time because this kind of thing could terrify some people.

"But I haven't gone through a world war and the independence war in Zimbabwe to be scared by someone like him.

"If he had learned something of the law, then he might have been more effective. I know that bailiffs do not come round."

Mrs Ham has reported the call to the police and she has urged anyone else who receives a similar call not to be intimidated and inform the police, community supporter officers or neighbourhood wardens.

She added: "This young man has chosen the wrong old bird to mess around."

To put the public at ease Stroud District Council spokesman Dave Marshall told the Gazette that any genuine noise complaints would be dealt with in an entirely different manner.

He said: "We would either write to or visit someone who was reported as making too much noise, but in all such cases it would only be to investigate.

"We do not accuse anyone until the facts are established and out of 298 noise complaints made last year only six notices were actually served."

Mr Marshall also confirmed that anyone calling themselves a noise abatement officer was clearly not genuine.

He added: "We do not have any dedicated staff to handle noise complaints, but we always give a full name on contact so that householders can get back to us."

Anyone who receives a suspected bogus call of any kind should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the police on 0845 0901234.