POLICE are warning residents across Bracknell Forest after receiving a number of reports of ‘Nottingham Knockers' again.

Thames Valley Police received worrying reports from Crowthorne residents back in November 2020 about door knockers being "abusive and foul mouthed".

A number of Bracknell residents have reported to police receiving a door knock from people believed to be 'Nottingham Knockers'.

Bracknell News:

As such, police have published a fresh warning to residents 'not to open the door' if they're not expecting anyone to knock.

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A message posted by the neighbourhood policing team said: "Local police are receiving calls about suspicious door to door sales people, known by many as “Nottingham Knockers”, who are trying to sell goods from large shoulder bags.

"In the past the goods offered for sale are readily available items such as dusters and tea towels and often the salesperson claims to be selling them on behalf of a charity or as part their rehabilitation/ resettlement.

"If someone knocks making such claims then there is every possibility that they are not a genuine caller."

Who are Nottingham Knockers?

Police describe them as 'doorstep callers who offer a selection of household products for sale.

The scam is believed to have originated in Nottingham, hence the name.

How does the scam work?

The scammer buys a bag of goods off the person who employs them, and are allowed to keep anything they make above this price.

Callers offer householders the goods, at inflated prices, but often use the sale as a ruse for checking out a person's home and gullibility.

Many people will buy something and pay them just to get rid of them, but once the money has been handed over, the scam can really begin.

Once the caller gets the money - most often a value that comes to a note - it is examined.If you have elderly friends, relatives, or neighbours, it's important to keep a lookout for them too and report any suspicious activity to police.

If you have any information relating to such instances or would like to report a crime please contact Thames Valley Police via the non-emergency number 101.