Officers from Norfolk Constabulary are urging householders to remain vigilant to cold callers following incidents in Broadland and North Norfolk. The warning comes after two men cold called at an address in Millers Breck in Taverham on Sunday 15 April offering to sell household items. The householder refused to purchase any items, despite both men being aggressive in their selling tactics. Meanwhile, a second incident was reported yesterday Monday 16 April in The Street, Happisburgh, where again cold callers were reported as being aggressive in their manner of selling.
Police attended the scene and arrested a 15-year-old boy who has since been charged for operation without a pedlars licence and will appear at Norwich Youth Court on Tuesday 1 May.
Norfolk County Council's Trading Standards Officers request that residents never agree to have work done, or buy goods from, someone that calls unannounced at their door, or approaches them on the street. Often such traders don't provide full names, trading addresses or contact telephone numbers, resulting in it being virtually impossible to trace them if there are any problems with the work or goods - which is all too often the case.
Detective Sergeant Pete Jessop, from Operation Radar, a specialist team which targets distraction burglary and doorstep crime, said: “I would urge residents to be wary of anyone who calls unannounced and cannot provide credible identity documents. Householders should not feel pressured into buying goods from cold callers anyone concerned about the behaviour of doorstep traders should contact police or Trading Standards.”
People experiencing problems with traders, or needing further advice, can call the national consumer helpline - Consumer Direct on 08454 040506. Anyone concerned about suspicious activity in their area should contact police on the non-emergency number 101 – if you think a crime is in progress always dial 999.
Police attended the scene and arrested a 15-year-old boy who has since been charged for operation without a pedlars licence and will appear at Norwich Youth Court on Tuesday 1 May.
Norfolk County Council's Trading Standards Officers request that residents never agree to have work done, or buy goods from, someone that calls unannounced at their door, or approaches them on the street. Often such traders don't provide full names, trading addresses or contact telephone numbers, resulting in it being virtually impossible to trace them if there are any problems with the work or goods - which is all too often the case.
Detective Sergeant Pete Jessop, from Operation Radar, a specialist team which targets distraction burglary and doorstep crime, said: “I would urge residents to be wary of anyone who calls unannounced and cannot provide credible identity documents. Householders should not feel pressured into buying goods from cold callers anyone concerned about the behaviour of doorstep traders should contact police or Trading Standards.”
People experiencing problems with traders, or needing further advice, can call the national consumer helpline - Consumer Direct on 08454 040506. Anyone concerned about suspicious activity in their area should contact police on the non-emergency number 101 – if you think a crime is in progress always dial 999.
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