POLICE have warned people in the Aberystwyth area to be on their guard after a group of potential thieves began selling products carried in bin bags door-to-door this week.

So-called ‘Hawkers’ or ‘Nottingham Knockers’ have been reported in villages including Penrhyncoch and Bow Street, on Monday night and over the weekend.

Police said that in other areas, the selling - often involving pressure tactics - has led to houses being burgled just a few days later.

The men, believed to be northern, have been in the area since Saturday.

A police spokesperson said: “These groups knock at doors and claim to be ex-convicts attempting to mend their ways, before trying to sell the householder everyday household products at inflated prices.

“In other parts of the UK, there have been links between visits from similar groups and thefts from properties occurring in the following days.

“Dyfed-Powys Police advise residents to consider carefully before buying products from door-to-door salespeople and not to succumb to pressure selling tactics.”

Anyone who has been visited by a ‘hawker’ who is concerned about their behaviour or selling tactics is advised to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101 or their local Neighbourhood Policing Team.