I would like to welcome Hibbert Road / The Causeway in Bray to our fold. We had a really good evening, I do hope they enjoyed it - I really did. I have a brilliant job working with you all out there !

I contacted Greg Nelson from the Borough's Trading Standards Dept to ask for some advice re the doorstep selling that is happening in the Borough at the moment. There are Nottingham Knockers and gold purchasers all over both Windsor & Maidenhead.

His advice was:

As you will know it is not illegal to go door to door to try and buy goods from householders, but I have seen your ringmaster message on this and would very much agree with the "we do not sell at the doorstep" message to go along side the usual "we do not buy ...".

Gold is usually (but doesn't have to be) bought and sold by weight, using legally approved scales.

I don't think the doorstep selling regulations (which provide a cancellation period of 7 days) would apply here, as they apply to contracts where the trader sells to the consumer, not the other way round. There is an argument that the trader is selling a valuation service, but it's a bit tenuous.

All other general trading standards legislation would apply, but evidence of any offences is likely to be verbal and therefore questionable, especially where there are two traders and only one householder.

There have been a number of stories publicised recently, where people are selling gold and other precious metals / jewellery because of the recession, but they are not getting a fair price.

We can only advise that if people want to sell such possessions they should go to several reputable jewellers to get a range of valuations, and then take the best price they are offered. We would also advise that under no circumstances should people sell to people who turn up at the doorstep. They are unlikely to have the protection of the doorstep selling regulations (which provide a cooling off period) so if they regret the sale later on they will have no means of cancelling the contract, and the chances are they will have no means of contacting the people they sold to.

Regards

Greg

Greg Nelson

Team Leader - Trading Standards

CRIME:

BISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS & LITTLEWICK GREEN:

27/1 - 28/1 Martin's Lane, Shurlock Row. Diesel stolen from 3 machines on a farm as equipment stolen - 3rd time !

27/1 - 28/1 High Road X 2, Cookham. Burglary via insecure patio door - handbag, camera, mobile phone, gloves and IPOD stolen. Burglary through the catflap - handbag pulled to the door and purse stolen.

BOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK:

27/1 Early hours. Thurlby Way, Cox Green. Burglary using the letterbox method - laptop, handbag and camera stolen.

26/1 - 27/1 Bardney Close. Vamoose Burglary using the letterbox method. Wallet, cigarettes, keys and white Fiat 500 stolen - index RF 58 JYR. Any sightings please on the intel line:

ringmasterintelligen@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk 

Some of the items have been recovered at the entrance to Ockwells Park.

RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:

27/1 - 28/1 Vicarage Road X 4. car door locks forced - Mobiles, Cameras, stolen.

27/1 - 28/1 The Crescent X 2. Car door locks forced - nothing stolen.

27/1 - 28/1 Norfolk Road X 2. Car door locks forced - Vehicle documents stolen.

28/1 Afternoon. College Avenue. Car passenger window smashed - handbag stolen.

27/1 - 28/1 Alston Gardens. Car driver's door lock forced - nothing stolen.

27/1 - 28/1 Elm Grove. Car driver's door lock forced - briefcase with paperwork and laptop stolen.

INNER MAIDENHEAD:

27/1 - 28/1 South Road. Car broken into by unknown means - rucksack and SAT NAV cable stolen.

OLDFIELD & BRAY:

26/1 - 27/1 Monkey Island Lane. Hole cut in the roof of a local business. 3rd time they have been attacked this week.

27/1 10.30 p.m. Norreys Drive. Glass house window smashed.

27/1 6.20 p.m. Hare Shoots. Bike stolen and old bike left behind.

27/1 7 - 10 p.m. Tithe Barn Drive X 2. Burglary through forced rear patio doors - mobile, laptop and jewellery stolen. Another house had a stone thrown right through a window.

27/1 - 28/1 Braywick Road. Garage break - nothing appears to be stolen.

PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:

27/1 - 28/1 Hungerford Drive. Elderly resident found letters scrawled over the front window with lipstick.