Police are warning of unscrupulous salesmen calling at homes in Devon and Cornwall.

Police have received a number of calls relating to door to door salesmen operating from Mid Devon and into Cornwall.

The people involved often wear home -made ID badges and purport to be part of a scheme aimed at helping ex–offenders.

When challenged they are unable to provide any verifiable evidence that a scheme exists.

Essentially they go from door to door, often targeting elderly residents and state that they are ex prisoners having been reformed.

They use pressure tactics on the homeowner to purchase household items at inflated prices.

If the homeowner refuses to buy items, the salesman often becomes abusive.

Police are advising the public to report any incidents in their area and ask that they call police on 101 quoting police reference CR/113283/14.