Two men arrested thanks to vigilant Old Sodbury residents (From Gazette Series)

Police thank residents in Old Sodbury for their help arresting two men trading without a pedlar's licence

12:51pm Monday 21st January 2013 in News By Alexandra Womack

POLICE have thanked householders in Old Sodbury for information which led to the arrest of two men posing as doorstep salesman.

Residents alerted officers at lunchtime on Friday (January 18) after seeing two men calling at houses in the village.

A police spokeswoman said: “We were called shortly before 1pm and told a man was calling on homes in Old Chapel Lane. Officers searched the area and arrested a man nearby at 1.20pm. A second man was arrested in Colts Green at 1.45pm.

“A 23-year-old man from Hartlepool and a 21-year-old man from Cardiff were later charged with acting as a pedlar without a licence.

“They were released on police bail with conditions not to sell door-to-door in South Gloucestershire and are due before Northavon Magistrates later this month.”

In November and December, officers asked local people to be on their guard after reports of doorstep salesmen calling in areas where there had been burglaries. Avon and Somerset Constabulary advised householders to ask to see a pedlar's licence if anyone cold-called to sell goods and to call us if they were at all suspicious.

Chipping Sodbury neighbourhood Inspector Andy Workman said: "Having calls from local people reporting their suspicions like this really helps us.

“If anyone calls at your home unexpectedly, don't open the door without putting the chain on and asking for identification. If you are suspicious it's worth giving us a call – you might be positive about turning them away but vulnerable elderly people might be less confident.

“Our message is if you're not sure about a caller, don't open the door."

For more information on preventing doorstep crime visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk