Bottesford NHW Alert: Suspicious Incident in Harby / Saying 'No' to Cold Calling Doorstep Traders

Suspicious Incident in Harby

 

It has been reported to NHW that on Saturday 17th November 2012 about 13.15 hours, 2 foreign gentlemen approached an elderly person near to Harby church. The men were very smartly dressed and had a grey/silver saloon car. No further description/detail of the men or car is available. The men proceeded to ask the elderly person if he would like to buy a watch and showed him a couple of expensive looking watches (one had a price tag £200) to them. The offer was repeatedly declined, whereupon the 2 males asked if the elderly person could give them some money for petrol!!

 

Please be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police on 101.

 

Saying 'No' to Cold Calling Doorstep Traders

Trading Standards Institute's strongest message yet against cold calling doorstep traders* comes as thousands of consumers' lives continue to be blighted by doorstep crime every year. 

There is only one way consumers can really stay safe from rogues in their own homes, and that is by saying 'no' to cold calling doorstep traders –particularly those offering home maintenance services such as roofing, guttering, gardening and work on the driveway.

"Consumers who need work carried out on their house should never take the word of a cold caller for it and should take their time, using their local authority's approved trader scheme to find a workman.

"With our 'Cold Calling – Don't Buy It' campaign we want to raise awareness amongst particularly the more vulnerable consumers that they have every right to reject cold calling on their own  doorstep – their home is their castle.

As seen  on national television we are urging homeowners to use the link here to download a no cold calling 'super sign'  to help them stay safe from cold calling doorstep traders.

"The sign tells cold calling doorstep traders to leave – those that don't are potentially committing a criminal offence and should be reported to trading standards or the police."

Consumers who need guidance on their consumer rights or want to report a dodgy cold caller to trading standards should call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06 – anyone feeling threatened should call the police on 999.

 

 

 

 

Circulated by:

 

John Shilton

Principal Coordinator

Bottesford Parish Neighbourhood Watch

 

Email: JohnS@BottesfordParishNHW.org.uk

 

Mob: 0772 5636626

 

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