Warning over door-to-door fishy business
RESIDENTS are being warned about high pressure door-to-door fish salesmen targeting elderly people.
Around £200 of fish has been confiscated for testing from an elderly woman living alone on Lowhurst Drive in Chell, after she called police saying she had been "talked into" buying the goods in bulk.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council's environmental health officials are now conducting tests on the fish, which was sold in unlabelled packs.
Reports from people living in Biddulph Road and Lowhurst Drive described the salesmen turning up in an unmarked blue van and going door-to-door selling fish.
Doreen Moore, of Lowhurst Drive, was sold two packs of cod and kippers for £15.80.
The 60-year-old said: "Three men came to the door selling the fish.
"They had white coats on and looked authentic, but I didn't ask for any ID.
"They wanted me to buy in bulk, saying it would be cheaper.
"I thought the price was high at the time, but thought I'd give them a go because it might be quality stuff.
"But I don't think it was cod. When I cooked it, it wasn't nice and the kippers were tough. I won't be eating the rest."
The pack of kippers contained five fillets, while there were two fillets in the pack of cod.
Staffordshire Police received two complaints about the fish sellers last week and are now trying to trace the men.
A spokesman said: "The salesmen appear to have applied unnecessary pressure on people to purchase fish.
"A number of people have bought the fish in small amounts, they felt it was a reasonable price. But then we had a further call from an elderly lady in Biddulph Road who indicated she had been pressured into buying £200 of fish.
Councillor Joy Garner, cabinet member for environment and regulatory services, said: "We advise all our residents not to buy any goods from people who turn up at the door uninvited, or who cannot prove their credentials."
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