Six people have been arrested after Wiltshire Police were called to numerous reports of door-to-door salesmen causing a nuisance in Malmesbury yesterday.
They received a number of calls throughout the day yesterday with people reporting a group of so-called Nottingham Knockers trying to sell goods and being abusive and rude when they declined.
Officers carried out a number of patrols through the town and responded to the calls, resulting in a number of arrests.
A minibus was also seized and a quantity of money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
• A 45-year-old man from Sherwood and a 26-year-old man from Nottingham were arrested on suspicion of exploitation, under the Modern Slavery legislation.
• A 17-year-old boy from Redcar and Cleveland and two 15-year-olds from Middlesborough were arrested on suspicion of selling door-to-door without a pedlar’s licence.
• An 18-year-old from Middlesborough was arrested on suspicion of selling door-to-door without a pedlar’s licence and a racially-aggravated public order offence.
They are all currently in police custody.
Insp. Mark Luffman, from Wiltshire North Community Policing Team, said: “We know what a nuisance these type of door-to-door sellers can be, especially for vulnerable people, such as the elderly, who can feel intimidated by their aggressive sales tactics.
“I would like to thank the members of the public who phoned us and I hope this shows that we will take swift action to arrest and detain those engaging in this anti-social and criminal behaviour.”
We want to remind people that they are under no obligation to answer the door to cold callers and that people who do sell door-to-door should be able to provide a valid pedlar’s certificate and should leave the property when asked.
To report an incident call police on 101.
For more information about how to deal with cold callers please visit our website https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/article/826/Protect-your-home
