Concern over doorstep sales

The man, who did not want to be named, said the firm had managed to talk his 82-year-old mum into having her ridge tiles cemented on her Alnwick house, before her family intervened.

He said: “They said the job would take two hours to do and they were charging £300. Now, I am a builder and for two hours’ work, to do that job, I would say that £150 would be a lot of money.”

Police are issuing crime-prevention advice, to encourage residents to be vigilant of potential bogus callers.

Some of the pointers that officers are giving include:

• Keep your front and back doors locked, even when at home;

• Look through a spy hole or window to identify the caller;

• Check their identity card carefully, even if the caller has a pre-arranged appointment;

• Don’t let visitors who are in a hurry pressurise or confuse you;

• Never use a telephone number given by the caller – find the number in your telephone directory;

• If you are not comfortable, ask the caller to return when someone is with you, and if you are not sure, do not let them in.

For more advice, visit www.northumbria.police.uk