Carolyn Keene reports:   Isle of Wight Police are offering advice to homeowners after receiving reports of a suspicious salesman cold-calling at homes across the Island.

At around 4pm on Wednesday, April 9th, a man called at an address on Chapel Close in Newport claiming to be a charity worker selling charitable goods.  There has now been reports of a man cold-calling at homes in Ventnor and of a man selling similar items for £50 at a sheltered housing block in Ryde.

In the incident at Chapel Close, he let himself into the house without the permission of the elderly woman living there and pressured her into buying two dish cloths, a duster and a wind-up emergency light for £39.80.  He left without providing a receipt.

Other householders in Chapel Close were also approached but they refused to buy the goods.

The man is described as:

Between 30 and 35-years-old
5ft 8ins tall
Stocky build
Tanned skin
Wearing a baseball cap, dark anorak and dark trousers
It is thought he may also be working alongside another man or child.

Police Constable Adam Gamble from Newport police station said: 

“The elderly woman in Chapel Close clearly did not want to buy these products.

“I am concerned that this salesman is specifically targeting some of the most elderly and vulnerable people in our community.

“I would urge anyone with information, or who’s spotted a man fitting this description to contact me at Newport police station so we can trace the suspect.

As part of Hampshire Constabulary’s Safer Homes Campaign, officers are also offering advice about how to deal with this sort of incident.

Many cold callers are genuine, but if you do have suspicions there are some simple steps you can take:

Stop – are you expecting anyone to call on you?  Do you know the person at the door?  Don’t be misled by what appear to be genuine reasons for calling on you.
Check – A genuine caller will carry identification and will be happy to wait outside while you check it. Remember to source your own number for the company they are claiming to be from, don’t accept a number from the caller. 
Chain – fit a door chain or spy hole so that you can speak to callers or check who they are without opening the door fully.

If you turn anyone away from your home because they could not provide you with a genuine reason for being there, or you are suspicious of callers on the Island, contact the police on the number below or Isle of Wight Council Trading Standards on 01983 823370
 
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Gamble at Newport police station on 0845 045 45 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000.

Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.

: Thursday : April 17th, 2008 at 12:01 am.