Police Advice Following Concerns Raised On Door To Door Sales People

Dyfed-Powys Police are warning residents to be on the guard against so-called ‘Hawkers’ or ‘Nottingham Knockers’ operating in the force area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

These groups knock at doors and claim to be ex-convicts attempting to mend their ways, before trying to sell the householder everyday household products at inflated prices. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dyfed-Powys Police advise residents to consider carefully before buying products from door-to-door sales people and not to succumb to pressure selling tactics. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sgt. Gareth Cross from Aberystwyth Police Station says: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“If any sales person comes to your door selling any product then do not be persuaded to part with money for products you don’t need or for products of poor quality. If you do decide to buy any products ensure you get a receipt and the address of the seller in case you need to contact them should the product not be of satisfactory quality. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Always ask door to doors sales people selling goods for their Pedlars certificate. Pedlars certificates are issued by Police forces and should contain details of which Police force to contact to ensure its authenticity – don’t accept fake or handwritten ‘hawkers’ identification cards.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone who is concerned about the behaviour or selling tactics of door to door sales people is advised to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101 or their local Neighbourhood Policing Team. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​