Residents in Oxfordshire are being urged to remain vigilant after Thames Valley Police issued a warning on 21 April 2026 regarding door-to-door salespeople known as Nottingham Knockers. These individuals often work in groups of young males and visit homes selling basic household items such as cleaning cloths, dusters, and polishes.
The alert warns that while this door-to-door activity is not always illegal, it is frequently associated with wider criminal activity. According to police, these visits can be used as a method to scout properties for future burglaries, conduct rogue trading, or facilitate distraction burglaries.
According to Operation Repeat, a national campaign supported by Trading Standards and police, these sellers often claim to be ex-convicts participating in rehabilitation schemes, sometimes presenting fake identification cards to gain trust. Officials have confirmed that the probation service does not endorse these working methods and that such documents have no legal standing. Victims, particularly elderly residents who are often targeted by these scams, have reported being pressured into paying inflated prices for low-quality goods, with some cases involving hundreds of pounds in cash.
Authorities are advising residents to be cautious of unexpected visitors and to never feel pressured into making a purchase on the spot. Furthermore, paying with cash can alert criminals to the presence of further savings within a home. Members of the public are encouraged to look out for vulnerable or elderly neighbours and report any suspicious activity to the police by calling 101, or 999 if there is an immediate emergency. More information on protecting oneself from such scams can also be found through organisations like Age UK.
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