POLICE are warning people to watch out for bogus officials when the national census begins next week.

The warning has been issued at a time when a number of enumerators will be knocking on doors asking questions.

It is feared that criminals could use this as an excuse to gain entry to people's homes.

Sergeant Mark Bradley of Leigh's crime management unit, said: "Anyone working on the census will be carrying an official authority card and they will have census forms which have a telephone number or they can call the local police station to prove they are in the area."

Anyone who is unsure as to the identity of the caller is urged to check for identification before answering any questions and be aware that everyone who is collecting information for the census has been told not to enter peoples homes.

The census, which occurs every ten years, is collecting information on population and housing will take six weeks.