Residents urged to be cautious and not to buy items from door-to-door salespeople

North Wales residents are being warned to be on alert as cold callers posing as “reformed criminals” have been spotted selling household items in the area. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The individuals, who are known as Pedlars or Hawkers, may carry their own ID, but it is important to note that they are required to have a Pedlar’s license issued by police forces to those of “good character”. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However, it is unlikely that someone with a known criminal history would be granted such a license. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Probation services have stated that they do not encourage this kind of activity for individuals on probation. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A North Wales Police spokesperson has said: “Intelligence suggests that these cold callers may also be selling information about vulnerable individuals, who would be easy targets for criminal activity, and overcharging them for goods.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The use of card payments has also been reported, putting residents at risk of financial fraud.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Residents are urged to be cautious and to politely decline any offers from door-to-door salespeople.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“By working together and reporting suspicious behavior to the authorities, we can make North Wales a “no go area” for these criminals and keep our communities safe.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Further information on Doorstep crime please see the following website: Doorstep Crime and Scam Prevention | Operation Repeat (oprepeat.co.uk) ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

How to apply for a pedlar’s certificate – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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