Warning over cold callers
RESIDENTS in Southport are urged to be cautious of cold callers after police a second Sefton crime alert.
The warning came after a man delivered business cards and flyers advertising Professional Power Cleaning services in the Dunster Road area of Birkdale.
The business card/flyer instructs readers to call or text “Andrew” on a 12-digit number that does not exist.
It offers gardening services, cleaning of all time including patios and paths, gutters walls and houses, roof cleaning, and tarmac and concrete.
The man was described as clean shaven, white and in his early 20s and spoke with an Irish accent.
A Merseyside police spokesperson said: “There have been other incidents of males calling at houses saying they are doing a ‘health check on your house’ and inquiring if the householder had read the leaflet delivered earlier.
“No leaflet had been delivered, they were selling Cavity Wall insulation.
“When the ‘no cold calling‘ sticker on the door was pointed out to them, they said each house in the whole of the town had to be visited, as the instructions from the Government had been changed in the last few months. Whatever their excuse they are cold callers.”
Most callers at the door may be genuine, but sometimes it can be a ruse to take items or possibly weigh up properties for thefts or burglaries.
The spokesperson added: “If you have a chain on the door it is advisable to put it on before speaking to a stranger who calls, and speak to them if you wish, but keep the chain on.”
Anyone with information, or wanting to report a similar incident, should contact community police on 101.