POLICE in Eden are investigating a number of incidents of door-to-door selling, where people call at homes claiming to either be deaf or rehabilitating offenders.

Reports have been received of people stating they are offenders who are in a programme of rehabilitation organised by the probation service. In other cases people have been claiming to be deaf and show a card stating that door to door sales is their only form of income.

In both instances they engage householders in conversation and persuade them to buy goods, often at inflated prices.

PC Frances Henderson said: “We have received reports that in some cases, extreme pressure is used on householders to make a purchase.

“We have been reassured by Cumbria and Lancashire Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC), who provide probation services in the local area, that they do not operate any type of schemes involving door-to-door sales.

John Greenbank, Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards Manager North, said: “Our advice in these circumstances is quite simple. If you’re wary of the caller, don’t answer the door."