Nottingham Knockers/Door to door sales

We have recently received a number of calls in regards to Nottingham Knockers and I have some advice for you below. 

Nottingham Knockers Information Who are they? 

Nottingham Knockers are usually young men who go door to door, selling household products. They are dropped off early in the morning in a particular location by a large van and are then transported around that area throughout the day until approx 2100hrs.

 They will offer to show you ID which will likely be ‘Hawkers Work Creation’ and say they have just been released from prison. This company does not actually exist and is purely a laminated piece of card with their picture on. They will be carrying a large holdall style bag which contains various household items at high prices and will try and hard sell to make more money. They will also tell you about how they are trying to make a better life.

 We have received calls from the public, who state that upon declining the products, they have been subjected to verbal abuse and threats to cause criminal damage from the sellers. Police have carried out stop checks and the people involved have been identified. Our advice whenever you get an unexpected knock on the door, please check to see who is on the other side of your door before opening it. Either look through a side window, look through a spy hole, or simply ask out loud who it is. If you do not know them, establish who they are and what they are there for before you open the door. Please remember if the cold caller sales are unsuccessful, they are unlikely to return in future. If you do experience any verbal abuse and feel intimidated, please call 101 and tell us what was said, and a description of the person.

I would like to add that most of these young men are vulnerable and there is usually one person in charge who provide some form of accommodation for their labour, they are given a percentage of the profits from the items that they sell.  They come from all over the country but their accommodation is usually in a bigger town nearby to where they operate.  

If you would like any further information, please contact the Henley Neighbourhood Team or your local Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator.  I am currently trying to get hold of the No Cold Calling door stickers. 

regards 

PCSO Claire HEWETT.