More reports of unscrupulous door to door salesmen operating in and around Deeside

Police are urging residents in Deeside to be on their guard against unscrupulous door to door salesmen operating in the area.

We’ve been reporting on incidents over the last couple of weeks click here and there appears to have been more incidents.

Suspicious Door to Door Salesmen offering Cleaning Products reported around #Deeside. Any info please contact 101 quoting ref: RC14143480

— Deeside NPT (@NWPDeesideNPT) September 12, 2014

High prices are being charged to elderly and vulnerable residents who are being targeted by the salesmen.

In one incident on September 5 in Ketland Place Shotton salesmen charged high prices for Christmas products and police have since received reports that they were operating in the Prince William Avenue area of Sandycroft yesterday, September 11.

Inspector Ceri Hawe said;

“I want local residents to be on the lookout for any door to door salesmen, not to allow them entry to their homes or to hand over any cash or cash cards for payment. We would ask people to call the police straight away on 101 quoting R140097 reference number. 

“We are working with trading standards to raise awareness locally and positive lines of enquiry are currently being progressed.   In the meantime we are keen to hear from anyone with any further information about these males targeting the area.”

Richard Powell, Team Leader for Flintshire Trading Standards Investigations said;

“Trading Standards advice is to be wary of buying goods from cold callers at your doorstep. It is difficult to know whether the prices being charged are exorbitant and if you are being pressured on the doorstep you cannot always check the quality of the goods.

“If the goods are faulty in any way then you may have great difficulty in tracing the trader. If anyone requires advice about goods purchased on the doorstep they can call Trading Standards on 03454 040506.”

Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant said:

“Doorstep crime is a real worry, particularly for those in our communities who are older and more vulnerable.

“Anyone knocking on your door who tries to sell you something, or claims they are visiting in an official capacity, should be able to show you a proper identification badge.

“Be wary of those who try to gain access to your home, particularly if they claim to be from the ‘water board’ – an organisation that does not exist – or ask you for money.

“Do not allow anyone into your home unless you are satisfied with their identification and report anything suspicious to police on 101.”