What are Nottingham Knockers?

Door-to-door traders who try to sell goods on the doorstep, often cheap household items. They will often claim to be on a rehabilitation scheme trying to find work and may have a false trading permit or other forms of ID.

Nottingham Knockers are not part of any recognised rehabilitation scheme. The government-backed Community Payback scheme does not involve door-to-door sales.

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“Give them a chance, they are only trying to make an honest living.”NOT TRUE

Nottingham Knockers

Our simple, clear and consistent message is:WE DO NOT BUY OR SELL ANYTHING AT THE DOOR

What is the issue?The conmen will cover a number of streets looking for a vulnerable victim they can scam. Concerned residents say they feel vulnerable in their own homes when they are approached in this way. Police say streets being targeted by the Nottingham Knockers often see an increase distraction burglaries.

They say those going door-to-door often have long extensive criminal histories and anyone who gives them money may find themselves the target of other scams including rogue builders and other groups.

Thames Valley Police and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead want you to share a simple message with anyone trying to sell goods on your doorstep.

“We do not buy or sell anything at the door.”

Door stickers stating this are available by calling 01628 683802 or emailing trading.standards@rbwm.gov.uk

Any traders who see the sticker but choose to ignore it commit an offence.

Is it illegal to sell goods on the doorstep?

Selling anything in a public space is subject to street trading laws and can only be done with special permits. Anyone selling goods on a public forecourt, road, footway or adjacent site, to a distance of 10 metres, must have written consent. Charity collectors can only collect on the doorstep with permission of the council’s licensing team.

No cold calling zonesWe can work with communities who want to stop door-to-door selling in their area. If there is sufficient community interest (in setting up a “No Cold Calling Zone”) we can co-ordinate this.

Making it illegal for any door-steppers to operate in a no cold calling zone. Signage and door stickers are used to put traders on notice, then if they persist they are committing criminal offences, enforced by trading standards under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 i.e. aggressive selling practices.

Selling goods door-to-door is only permitted with a valid pedlar’s certificate. The police will only issue these to people who haven’t been convicted of a crime, any conviction will mean you cannot hold a licence.

Traders selling vegetables, fish, fruit or food and drink do not need pedlar’s licence but must register with the environmental health department at their local authority. Other traders can only sell at your doorstep if you have invited them round.

Anything you buy at your doorstep over £42 is subject to a legal ‘cooling-off period’ of 14 days where you hold the right to cancel. The trader should give you pre-contract information, a written receipt and a template notice you can use to cancel. Failure to do this is a criminal offence and should be reported to trading standards.

DISCLAIMER: Legislation may change over time and the advice given in good faith is based on the information available at the time the advice was produced. It is not necessarily comprehensive and is subject to revision in the light of further information. Only the courts can give a definitive interpretation of legislation. This advice is not intended to be a definitive guide to, nor substitute for, the relevant law. Independent legal advice should be sought where appropriate. No liability is accepted for reliance on this information.

The information in this leaflet is subject to copyright and all rights exist with RBWM. The content may not be copied, distributed or reproduced without express permission. © Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead – January 2018.

Our simple, clear and consistent message is:WE DO NOT BUY OR SELL ANYTHING AT THE DOOR

Useful ContactsRoyal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Trading Standards Service

t: 01628 683802e: trading.standards@rbwm.gov.uk

General advice and non-urgent matterst: 03454 04 05 06

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Community Wardens

t: 01628 685636 e: wardens@rbwm.gov.uk

General advice and non-urgent matterst: 01628 683800

Police Emergency t:999

Action Fraud t: 0300 123 2040w: www.actionfraud.police.uk

Non-urgent matterst:101