11
May
2013
By Calvin at 10:44 GMT, 13 years ago
(Please Re-tweet)
POLICE in Barrow, Cumbria are advising residents to be on the lookout for cold calling traders who are leafleting and calling at homes offering to buy jewellery.
Local police have said that they’ve received a number of calls from concerned residents in Barrow, Dalton, Ulverston and surrounding areas advising them that they have been approached to sell their jewellery. It seems that lots of these residents live in No Cold Calling zones, but have still been approached by these traders. Some of the complainants have felt intimidated by the cold callers who have been using overly strong tactics in an attempt to achieve their objectives.
Police are advising local people that if they are intending to sell some of their jewellery or other possessions they should first have the items valued at a pawn brokers or perhaps a local jeweller. They are also asking people not to deal with anyone making unsolicited calls at the door, to look out for vulnerable and elderly neighbours and to report suspicious behaviour to Cumbria Police on 101.
In addition, if people have engaged with callers of this nature and are concerned, they should contact Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06.
TCPW Comment It’s that season again and as the weather slowly improves so there’ll be more people calling at our doors trying to buy from us or sell us stuff. If you live in a No Cold Calling zone be particularly suspicious of callers at the door and always report the matter to police and local council. The simple rule however is don’t trade with unsolicited callers at the door.
There’s lots of advice on this website about doorstep selling and ‘bogus callers’ and you can even download and print off a useful ‘No Uninvited Traders’ sign to stick by your door. I’ve put one on the window next to my door and I reckon I get 80% fewer callers as a result. Follow the links below for further advice:
You know it makes sense and keep ‘em peeled!
Door Chains and Limiters: http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/security-door-locks-hardware-and-fittings/567/door-chains-and-limiters/
Bogus Callers (Distraction Burglary): http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/personal-security/633/bogus-callers-distraction-burglary/
No Cold Calling Zones and Doorstep Selling: http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/personal-security/697/no-cold-calling-zones-and-doorstep-selling/
‘No Uninvited Traders’ sign: http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/media/pdf/4/r/nocoldcallersv2.pdf
Original News article North-West Evening Mail: http://www.nwemail.co.uk/home/cold-callers-earn-ire-of-barrow-residents-1.1055516?referrerPath=home
