BEWARE - Criminals are pretending to be doorstop salespeople.

Bogus tradespeople claim to sell quality goods or offer services to residents as part of a probation service scheme. There is no such scheme in operation

Trading Standards suggest warning your neighbours, particularly the elderly or vulnerable, not to open the door to strangers or buy goods on the doorstep.

Some doorstep sellers may offer poor quality goods and may even be gathering information for future crimes.

Here are a few things you can do to feel safer when answering the door:

Putting up a deterrent sign – You could put a ‘no cold callers’ sign up on your door or window, which should deter any cold callers from knocking on your door. *

Setting up passwords for utilities – You can set up a password with your utility companies to be used by anyone they send round to your home. Phone your utility company to find out how to do this.

Ensure your home is secure, and use a door chain to stop unwanted persons pressuring their way inside your home.

#StaySafe #BogusTraders #Neighbourhood

* We currently have a supply of cold calling cards - get in touch if you would like one.