RESIDENTS around Berry Hill have contacted Gloucestershire Police about a man who is trawling their area as a door-to-door salesman but becoming aggressive when people say ’no’ to his offers.

They have taken to social media to warn others of the man, described as young and tall with a red bag and saying his has been in prison and is trying to do sales as part of his rehabilitation.

However, the practice has already been identified as happening across the country and given the name of ’Nottingham Knockers’.

Other parts of the UK have reported incidents of ’Nottingham Knockers’. They are described as doorstep callers who target areas offering small household products for sale.

Just as in the Forest, these callers may claim to be ex-convicts attempting to mend their ways.

On social media, the Berry Hill residents say that this particular man who has been in their neighbourhood has left front entrance gates open and used swear words when leaving properties.

One comment on the social media site that has highlighted this said: “It’s not a nice experience. He was all pleasant and joking to start. When you say ’no’ he gets verbally aggressive.

“I didn’t answer back as he gets worse if you do. I would be very frightening for someone on their own or the elderly.”

Another comment on the site from a resident said: “We have called the police as he got verbally aggressive with one of our elderly neighbours. He was pretending he had broken his leg and, when she wouldn’t let him in, he started screaming at her.”

The incidents have not just been in Berry Hill but in other parts of the area as well, including Christchurch and Littledean, say the residents.

Gloucestershire Police say they have acted on similar reports around the Forest of Dean last week.

A statement said: “Police received a report of a cold caller attempting to sell items to residents living in Coleford (last Tuesday).

“A man visited a resident in English Bicknor at around 8pm(that night) and claimed to be part of a prison rehabilitation scheme.

“Officers would like to urge anyone who is visited by a door-to-door seller to please be cautious.

“When people sell goods in these circumstances, they are classed as ’pedlars’ and are required to show a pedlar’s certificate when asked by a resident or police officer.

Failure to comply with this is an offence.

“Although the practice is not illegal if conducted whilst holding a certificate, if the person does not present a licence or you are in any doubt about their motives please report this by calling 101.”

This is a more direct approach in a plague of scams and potential scams which have struck various parts of the Forest of Dean communities in recent weeks and have been highlighted in the Forester.