Doorstep seller's aggressive tactics spark warning

Several calls were made to police last Friday, August 19, reporting a male doorstep seller acting aggressively and being verbally abusive.

Police were called to Bridgewater Road, in Berkhamsted, where they spoke to a man matching the seller’s description and gave him a verbal warning.

One Berkhamsted resident said the man on his doorstep claimed to be an ex-soldier, discharged with depression.

The resident said: “He did not act like a soldier to me. I asked his service number and it sounded made up.”

When he was asked to leave he became aggressive.

The Berkhamsted resident asked him to leave but the man continued to bang on the door.

He added: “It was a very unpleasant experience. Personally I will be putting my chain on the door.”

Residents were warned of a similar incident only two months ago (June 14).

Sandra Jackson, the neighbourhood watch coordinator for Dacorum, said: “This kind of thing happens every so often. Nobody should ever feel threatened by someone trying to sell something, so if you do it’s best to call the police or contact your Neighbourhood Watch.”

The salesman knocked at one resident’s house despite him having a Neighbourhood Watch sticker visible in his window stating that he does not buy or sell at his door.

Mrs Jackson said: “Unfortunately it’s not illegal for people to knock on your door even with the sticker, but if you do have it there you can just point to it and let them know they should leave without causing any aggression.”