POLICE have issued a warning to residents after a spate of door-to-door knife sales.

Incidents have been reported in the New Town, Penhill, Pinehurst, Park North and Cricklade Road areas.

Two men, with what’s believed to be Irish accents and sometimes a woman. approach people in the street or knock on doors offering boxes or sets of carving knives for sale.

They offer them at ‘a good price’ or as in one incident will ask the potential buyer what they are prepared to pay for them

The police have also received reports that one of the males has been aggressive in in his selling technique.

People are warned not to buy from this group as it appears they are not operating with a peddler’s licence.

One of the men is described as aged 16 to 20, white with blonde or ginger hair and of slim build. The second man is white, bald, in his 20s with a large build.

The female is white, with long ginger hair, slim build and possibly older than the men.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said:  "We advise anyone not to buy from their doorstep or from anyone stopping you on the street.

"When this group was challenged about having a peddler's licence by our officers last week, they left the area, however they have since returned on a couple of occasions.  
"If you are approached by this group or by anyone selling aggressively in this way please ask them to leave/close the door on them and call police on 101."

The public are urged to remember the following advice: 

• Always keep your door shut and locked.
• If someone comes to your door and you aren’t expecting a caller it is important that you check who it is by using a spy-hole or look through a window. DO NOT open the door to anyone you don’t know or are not expecting.
• Official visitors will always arrange an appointment with you beforehand – If no appointment has been made DO NOT open the door.
• Always keep purses and wallets hidden away from sight.
• If a price seems too good to be true - it normally is.