RESIDENTS in a Salisbury neighbourhood have been given advice on how to protect themselves from doorstep crime.

Wiltshire Council Trading Standards officers, alongside Salisbury Police, were in the Juniper Road area of Firsdown on Monday (January 20) to speak directly about the risks posed by rogue traders and cold callers.

Officers warned that doorstep criminals can operate in several ways, often approaching homes uninvited and claiming that urgent work is needed.

This can include cold calling to say a garden, roof or guttering requires maintenance or making unsolicited phone calls offering a “free loft insulation survey”.

Residents are then pressured into agreeing to unnecessary work, which can end up costing thousands of pounds.

Trading Standards stressed that people should not engage with cold callers of any type and encouraged residents to look out for neighbours who may be having unexpected or suspicious work carried out at their homes.

Anyone who receives a cold call or notices something that does not look right is being urged to report it by calling the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133, or by contacting the police on 101.

Wiltshire Council Trading Standards is also offering free ‘no cold calling’ doorstep stickers, designed to deter rogue traders from approaching homes and can be requested by sending a private message to the team on social media.

Officers say simple steps such as refusing to engage with cold callers, reporting suspicious activity and looking out for neighbours can help protect communities from doorstep crime.