Suffolk Trading Standards has issued a warning to householders to be mindful of a group of young salesmen – so-called 'Nottingham Knockers' – who are believed to be working in the area.
A spokesman said: 'We've just had a report of Nottingham Knockers going door to door in Pakefield, Lowestoft.'
Named after a scam originating in Nottingham, young people travel across the UK targeting a town at a time. They knock at doors and claim to be ex-convicts attempting to mend their ways, before trying to sell the householder everyday household products at very high prices.
The spokesman added: 'Trading Standards always advise residents to refrain from buying at the doorstep and not to buckle to pressure from salespeople offering supposedly one-off 'buy it now' low prices.
'These Nottingham Knockers work in groups across the country but they are not involved in any officially recognised offender rehabilitation programme and many do not possess Pedlar's Certificates, which are issued by police and are necessary for salespeople to be legally allowed to sell door-to-door.
'If any salesperson comes to your door, we'd suggest you ask to see their Pedlar's certificate – these are only issued to individuals under very strict conditions. You can contact the police station it was issued at in order to prove if it's genuine.'
If a Nottingham Knocker visits you, please inform police on 101 and/or report it to Trading Standards on 03454 040506.
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