Police in Bridport have urged residents to be on their guard against young men going door to door in the area trying to sell items - and becoming 'aggressive' when they are turned away.

In the last week, a group were visiting homes in the Thorncombe and Holditch areas of west Dorset.

A spokesman for Bridport Police said: "These traders are often called 'Nottingham Knockers' and are usually young men who are trying to sell cheap household items claiming they are on a rehabilitation scheme but in fact are not part of any government recognised scheme. Often these young men will flash their ID but usually their ID is fake.

"It appears a group of young males were dropped off in Thorncombe and Holditch and went door-to-door claiming to be ex-offenders.

"Members of the public that reported these sellers described them as having northern accents and that they were wearing black tracksuits and were carrying large holdalls and that they tried to pressurise them into buying something from them. This is often achieved by describing the hard life they have experienced and that they are trying to make a fresh life for themselves.

"Dorset Police also received reports that the males became angry and threatening when some residents said that were not interested in purchasing items from them."

Advice from police is that if you get an unexpected knock on the door to check to see who is on the other side before opening it. Check by looking through a window or a spy hole if you have one or ask out loud who it is or if you have a door chain use it and partially open the door. If you are not sure who’s at your door don’t open it. If the cold caller sales are unsuccessful, they are unlikely to return in future.

Residents who experience any issues with doorstep sellers should contact Dorset Police and inform the force what was said, and a description of the person and details of any vehicle that may relate to them.