13/11/2025
There have been recent reports in North Wales of young men approaching random addresses and attempting to sell goods to the homeowner. This is more commonly known as The Nottingham Knockers scam.
The Nottingham Knockers scam involves door-to-door sellers who may be con artists posing as reformed criminals, using aggressive sales tactics to sell low-quality goods while gathering information for potential burglaries.
-How the Scam Works-
Door-to-Door Sales: Nottingham Knockers typically consist of young men who go door-to-door selling household products, often claiming to be on a rehabilitation program. They may show fake identification to appear legitimate.
Gathering Information: While selling, they assess the household for potential burglary. They look for signs of wealth, such as how much cash is available, the presence of valuables, and whether the home is occupied. They may even sniff banknotes to gauge if they come from a larger stash.
Aggressive Tactics: If residents decline to buy, these sellers can become confrontational, using verbal abuse or threats to intimidate individuals into making a purchase.
-Risks Involved-
Targeting Vulnerable Individuals: The scam often targets elderly or vulnerable residents, who may be more susceptible to pressure tactics.
Potential Burglary: After gathering information, the sellers may return later to burglarize the home, using the intelligence they collected during their initial visit.
-Safety Tips-
Do Not Open the Door: If you encounter a Nottingham Knocker, do not open the door. Speak to them through a closed door or window if necessary.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you feel threatened or notice suspicious behaviour, contact local authorities immediately. You can report incidents to the police via non-emergency numbers or online.
Educate Neighbours: Inform your neighbours, especially the elderly, about the scam to help protect them from potential exploitation.
By staying vigilant and informed, you can help prevent falling victim to the Nottingham Knockers scam and protect your community from these predatory tactics.
In other areas, they’ve even become violent and forced their way into people’s homes to obtain further cash. This hasn’t been reported in the North Wales area yet, but the men have been aggressive. Again, please understand that these sellers are professional criminals and the best way to stay safe is not engaging with them.
If you’re visited by Nottingham knockers, please report to North Wales Police as soon as you can by calling 101 to give the police the best chance to attend your area and apprehend the individuals. Please try and record any details, including vehicle registration.
However, if you’re threatened or treated aggressively on the doorstep, dial 999 for an emergency response.
