PEOPLE in Oaksey have become concerned over the increasing number of Nottingham Knockers – door-to-door hawkers selling household goods – calling at their homes.

There are fears that the callers may be prospective burglars who are casing their houses with the aim of breaking in later.

Neigbourhood policeman PC Steve Harvey said: “Such people, who are usually young men, require a valid ‘pedlar’s certificate’ issued by police and the local authority.”

He stressed that the certificate should have a photograph of the person on it and also state that the document was a pedlar’s certificate.

PC Harvey said: “We recently had an incident where it was obvious such people were ‘casing’ some premises.”

Anyone concerned about their conduct should call police on 101, or if the door knockers are especially suspicious, ring 999.