FEARS have been raised for vulnerable Tynedale residents who could fall victim to doorstep scammers, after a wave of reports regarding suspicious sellers.

At a meeting of Tynedale Local Area Council on Tuesday, September 12, acting Neighbourhood Inspector Gary Simpson told councillors that there had been more reports about doorstep peddling over the past few weeks than in previous months.

“We have received quite a number of reports, many in the west of the Tynedale area, of people who are claiming to be part of the probation service in Teesside,” explained Insp. Simpson.

“They have badge identification and claim they are out of prison working with the probation service – that system and that scheme just doesn’t exist.”

County Councillor for Hexham East, Coun. Cath Homer, said that groups appeared to target vulnerable individuals, or those they know had fallen victim previously.

“They don’t necessarily go to every door,” she said.

“I can watch them approaching and I guarantee you, they know where they are going.

“While it might be easy for me to tell them to leave and close the door, other people, particularly elderly people, might feel intimidated.

“There are pockets in Hexham where we have got elderly people together and I know they can become very distressed about that.”

Insp. Simpson issued a warning that the items on sale could also be poor quality items, sold for a lot of money.

He added: “I have worked in Prudhoe since 2009 and, for whatever reason, there is a group of people from Cleveland who see it as easy pickings to come out to Northumberland, particularly the affluent areas in Tynedale.

“There will be a group which does it for about two or three months then another group will come on the scene six months later – we don’t believe it’s the same offenders but it’s the same story they’re using.”

Those who are suspicious about a doorstep seller are advised to contact 101 or in an emergency, 999.