West Mercia Police officers have issued advice after reports of ‘Nottingham Knockers’ operating in the Holmer area of Hereford over recent days.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said:
“As with every caller at you door remember to put your door chain on before opening the door – think about your safety and ask yourself “Do I know you? Do I really need to open the door?” If you have no door chain – go to the nearest window, look out to see if you recognise the caller and then act accordingly.
“Have you had one of those people that knock on you door and ask you to buy a pack of dusters or dish cloths? These people come under the title of “Nottingham Knockers”.
“You may or may not have heard the phrase “Nottingham Knockers” before, but please read below for further information.
“Nottingham Knockers are groups of individuals, usually young men, who travel from the North East of the country to our towns and villages, knocking doors, targeting vulnerable and elderly people, claiming to be on a rehabilitation scheme, or similar, with a bag of household items. It was reported that a group of these individuals attending addresses across the Holmer area of Hereford.
“These men are NOT on a rehabilitation scheme and the ‘Probation Service’ do NOT send people out selling door-to-door. Please do not buy from someone who’s selling goods in this manner.
“In order to trade door-to-door, a person MUST have a pedlar’s certificate, issued by the Chief Constable of the police force where they live. The ‘Pedlars Act 1871′ defines a pedlar as a person who trades by travelling on foot between town to town or visits another persons’ house.
“Trading as a pedlar without a certificate is an offence and a number of these individuals have been prosecuted.”
