RESIDENTS across the county are being warned to be vigilant after Norfolk County Council Trading Standards service received reports of traders calling at homes in the county, attempting to sell what is believed to be sub-standard fish.

Trading Standards Officers at the County Council have received reports that traders have called in Lingwood, Brundall, Blofield and Upton in recent days, particularly at homes owned by more vulnerable members of the community, arriving in an unbranded white non-refrigerated van.

The traders are reported to have been using high pressure sales tactics - with Trading Standards Officers having doubts about the quality of the fish being offered, whether the type of fish is as claimed, and whether it has been appropriately stored.

Steven Reilly, spokesman for Norfolk County Council Trading Standards, said: “These traders appear to be targeting elderly members of the community and using high pressure sales tactics on their doorstep to try and sell fish that we suspect is worth less than the prices they are quoting.

“We also have doubts about whether the fish is indeed the type they suggest it is and also whether it has been appropriately stored.

“If residents are visited by these traders we suggest that they do not buy from them or perhaps consider not even opening the door to them.”

Norfolk County Council Trading Standards department and Norfolk Constabulary issued a number of warnings about doorstep fish sellers back in 2008 and 2009.

In once instance in 2009, traders called at the home of one vulnerable gentleman in Norwich - convincing him to buy 65 packs of fish, at a cost of �900. The fish was however only worth around �150.

Further advice on doorstep sales can be obtained from the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06.