The following alert has been sent to LOSRA by our neighbourhood officer, PC Caroline Barnes:
Over recent weeks we have seen an increase of door to door sales persons knocking on residents doors offering to sell goods or do work to their properties in Sunbury.
A resident reported recently that a trader who they had employed to complete some work on their property following the company doing door to door sales calls continuously raised the price for the job and therefore put a great amount of pressure onto the resident to pay the extortionate amount of money. Thankfully we were informed and were able to take the necessary action to ensure the resident did not pay any money to the rogue trader.
I would like to remind residents to consider the following advice in an effort to try and prevent you from becoming victims of distraction burglaries or rogue traders during the festive season:
Whenever anyone calls at your door:
STOP
And think. Are you expecting a visitor? Are all your doors locked?
CHAIN
Put the chain or bar on BEFORE opening the door.
Use a spyhole or the window to see who it is.
CHECK
Ask for a caller's ID. Check it thoroughly, call the company (look up the number yourself). A genuine caller won't mind waiting, or coming back later when you have somebody you trust with you.
I would advise all residents not to employ anyone who has knocked on your door offering to do work. If you need any works done to your property contact a company directly yourself. If you need assistance with choosing a company please contact Trading Standards who will be able to assist you further.
Should you not wish to buy anything from door to door sales persons then politely say NO and shut the door. Should they become intimidating, abusive or refuse to leave call 999 immediately.
Please do not be afraid to report any suspicious activity to police by calling 101 or 999 in the case of an emergency. We want to stop this crime from occurring to others and any information available is very much appreciated.
