Police in Dover are urging people to beware of cold callers offering to do work to their homes.

Residents of the Elms Vale area have reported a group of five men, in two vans, knocking on doors and offering to do work.

Neither van had a company name on it and one resident who called the police said he believed the men were targeting the elderly.

One woman agreed to have her chimney fixed and was given an inflated quote for the work, She has since been advised by her family to turn the men away if they call again.

Police attended and spoke to the men who said they were staying at a caravan park in Blean.

The men were wearing black trousers and white shirts and were middle aged, probably in their forties. They were seen on one elderly man’s roof in Elms Vale Road and also with a ladder at the side of a house in Eaton Road.

There have also been reports of a group of men going door to door in the Capel and Ringwould areas selling dusters from a holdall. Police are advising that anyone selling products should have a pedlar’s licence and if they do not, or if householders are worried or suspicious, they should contact the police on 01622 690690.

Police are advising local people not to commit to having work done if approached by a cold caller whose credentials they cannot check. Residents should not allow cold callers access to their home.

People should use firms with a proven track record or ask family or friends for recommendations.