Western Rural Police are warning residents to be aware of hawkers – people who knock on doors unannounced and try to sell household items such as dusters and mops.

The warning follows the detention of 20 men in Frodsham, Norley and Cuddington who were operating with fake licences over the past week.

The men are all from the Middlesbrough area and aged predominantly between 20 and 25.

Three of the men will appear before Chester magistrates for peddling without a licence.

Police have received a number of calls from worried residents of Helsby, Frodsham, Cuddington , Ashton, and Tarporley over the last six months.

One call was from a man in his 80s from Acton Bridge last Tuesday to report two men who knocked on his door and hurled abuse at him and slammed his garden gate after telling them he wasn’t interested.

The Pedlar’s Act 1871 stipulates  that individuals selling door to  door must have licences issued  by the chief constable of the  area in which the salesman  lives.

These certificates should  include details of the licensing  authority.

PC Dave Walton, of the  Western Rural Neighbourhood  Policing Unit, said: “If someone  knocks on your door and tries to  sell you household items they  must be in possession of a valid  pedlar's licence.

“The word hawker does not  appear on this licence and they  will not be issued to anyone  with criminal convictions. If  you get a visit, please politely  tell them no and phone Cheshire  Police on 101.

“Cheshire police are  committed to stopping this  group from coming to our area  and will attend and check  licences and seize items found to  be fraudulent or in relation to  the crime.”

Police have received a number of calls from worried residents of Helsby, Frodsham, Cuddington , Ashton, and Tarporley over the last six months.

One call was from a man in his 80s from Acton Bridge last Tuesday to report two men who knocked on his door and hurled abuse at him and slammed his garden gate after telling them he wasn’t interested.

Police are working together  with Cheshire West and Chester  Trading Standards officers to  tackle the matter and the wider  issue of cold calling.