SEVERAL businesses licensed to sell alcohol in the region have reported that they have been contacted by telephone and occasionally in person by someone claiming to be from the 'Licensing Team' demanding payment for unpaid licence fees.

A statement from Thurrock Council says: "The caller is particularly targeting smaller, independent businesses who are less likely to have a head office to deal with payments.

"Thurrock Council's Licensing Team will never contact you by telephone to request payment, and urge any businesses receiving these calls to contact Action Fraud and Thurrock's Licensing Team.

"If we visit your premises, we will always show you our Thurrock ID badges and will never ask for your card details or any other form of payments.

"Please email [email protected] with any enquiries."