POLICE are alerting residents to potential scams by door-to-door sellers claiming to be on probation.

The Ashburton and Chudleigh Policing Team were made aware of a male going door to door in Bovey Tracey selling house hold goods from a holdall over the weekend.

The man gained entry to the property by asking the homeowner for a glass of water and while no offence has occurred, he was heard again asking a glass of water at neighbouring properties.

‘We are always concerned when unsolicited callers attend a property and gain entry particularly where vulnerable residents may be scammed’, said a spokesperson for the team.

The man produced a form saying he was working on a rehabilitation scheme, telling residents he was on probation and had been dropped into Bovey Tracey by his probation officer.

The spokesperson went on to say: ‘We advise residents not to purchase anything from this type of selling, the goods are often over priced, of low quality and better items can be bought locally in Bovey Tracey.

‘We recommend a polite refusal to anyone offering to sell in this manner door to door, and if they refuse to leave or become confrontational call the police on 999’.