Doorstoppers
Warning over bogus fishmongers
BOGUS fishmongers travelling door to door have been intimidating elderly people.
The fishmongers, driving in a red Ford Transit van, have been knocking on doors in Darlington trying to sell unmarked and unnamed fish.
Darlington Borough Council's trading standards office received four complaints on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last week, all from the Haughton Road area.
A council spokeswoman said one elderly woman complained the men entered her house uninvited, and put her under pressure to buy a large amount of unlabelled fish. She did not buy any, but was left unsettled.
The spokeswoman said: "They are not saying what the fish is, it is not labelled, and they are not saying how much money they want for it. They are being aggressive.
"Also, it's not just the aggressive nature that is the problem. The fish they are selling could be off, it may not meet safety requirements."
Police, who are investigating the complaints, said the two incidents on Thursday happened at 11.40am on Springfield Road, and 12.25pm on Corbridge Crescent, round the corner. Two men called at the door, but police believe at least four men are involved.
They could not reveal details of the incidents on Friday and Saturday, but confirmed elderly people had been targeted. One 58-year-old man from Chester-le-Street has been spoken to, but no arrests have been made.
Inspector Brian Maudling, from Darlington Police, urged residents to be on their guard.
"Anyone selling door-to-door needs a licence," he said. "Bogus officials are one of the biggest headaches we have.
"My advice is if you're not sure, don't buy anything from anyone. Call relatives if you're not happy, or call the police."
It is not the first time bogus fishmongers have struck in the North-East - the council believes the Haughton Road gang have recently carried out similar attacks in Spennymoor, County Durham.
In December 2005, bogus fishmongers stole £200 from a 65-year-old stroke victim in Middlesbrough after conning their way into her home. In July 2003, an elderly woman in North Yorkshire was conned into paying £300 for an unmarked packet of fish.
Anyone with information on the Haughton Road incidents should ring police on 0845-6060365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.
1:17am Wednesday 25th July 2007
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