Police in East Herts are reminding residents that they do not have to buy at the door if a sales person calls at their address.
This follows a number of calls being made to the police on Wednesday August 17 reporting men door knocking in the East Herts area, trying to sell household items. At one address in Stanstead Abbotts one of the sellers allegedly became abusive when the resident refused to make a purchase and a woman reported being inappropriately touched by one of the sellers as he passed her in the street in Puckeridge.
“Selling at the door is not a crime, but abusive and inappropriate behaviour is not acceptable,” explained Neighbourhood Sergeant Martin May. “We are also worried that some people are being really pressurised by some of the sales tactics and have ended up parting with a lot of cash for low value items.
“It is often elderly residents who are targeted, who may not have the confidence to say no, or who may get confused about what they are agreeing to buy and then handing over more cash than they intended.”
Officers are keen to trace the group of men who were operating in East Herts yesterday. They were travelling in a white van and aged between 20 and 30. They were wearing mainly hooded tops and tracksuits.
If you saw these men or have any information regarding their activity, please contact Sergeant Martin May on the non-emergency number 101. Equally if you see a group of men matching this description operating in your area please contact the police and do not open the door to them.
“These people often claim to be ex-offenders who are working for a charity on their release from prison,” continued Martin. “They often travel in large groups and come from outside the area.
“They may carry a piece of laminated paper with their photograph on it. This will look like an official permit and they will claim that they have permission to be selling door to door in the area.
“No one should feel like they have to buy products at the door and if anyone is concerned about door to door selling in their area I would urge them not to open the door and contact the police for advice.”