POLICE and Trading Standards are issuing advice to homeowners following a number of reports of cold calling by a security company in East Cambridgeshire.

POLICE and Trading Standards are issuing advice to homeowners following a number of reports of cold calling by a security company in East Cambridgeshire.

Concerned residents have said the company offer an alarm system for their home but employ high pressure sales techniques.

In the past seven days there have been several reports in the district.

In some cases a salesperson has visited a householder even though they have cancelled the appointment and asked them not to visit. High pressure sales techniques include:

Offering a system for free or discounted following a call to the manager.

Pressure to sign up straight away in order to get a good deal.

Remaining in a person’s home for two to three hours in order to wear them down.

Crime reduction officer Rachel Carr said: “If, during a visit to your property, a trader refuses to leave, contact the police immediately and make a note of the time of the request and the time the trader leaves.

“Initial costs outlined are misleading and do not reflect the true cost of owning a system, when yearly maintenance and monitoring are included.

“When buying an alarm system it is always advisable to get at least 3 quotes, and look for companies that are accredited by NSI (National Security Inspectorate) or SSIAB (Security Systems & Alarm Inspection Board).

“Independent inspectorates are not-for-profit approval bodies which carry out inspection services for the security industry in order to protect customer interests. They are governed by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), the sole accreditation service recognised by the government.

“If you have been contacted by the company and feel concerned contact the police or Cambridgeshire Trading Standards for assistance.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0345 456 456 4, or Trading Standards on 08454 040506.