Who are they?
Nottingham Knockers (that’s where it started, apparently, but it’s a generic name) are usually young men who go door to door, selling household products. They are dropped off early in the morning in a particular location by a large van and are then transported around that area throughout the day until approx 2100hrs.
They will offer to show you ID which will likely be ‘Hawkers Work Creation’ and say they have just been released from prison. This company does not actually exist and is purely a laminated piece of card with their picture on. They will be carrying a large holdall style bag which contains various household items at high prices and will try and hard sell to make more money. They will also tell you about how they are trying to make a better life.
Police all across the country regularly receive calls from the public, who state that upon declining the products, they have been subjected to verbal abuse and threats to cause criminal damage from the sellers. Police have carried out stop checks and the people involved have been identified.
Police advice
If you do experience any verbal abuse and feel intimidated, please call 101 and tell the police what was said, and a description of the person.
Yes, we had the lad from Middlesbrough as well. As you say polite and left the bottom of our front path when asked.
As it happens we had one today from Middlesbrough. Seemed perfectly nice and polite but not sure that anyone will want to buy door to door at the moment.