Trading Standards are investigating the attempted sale of fireworks by a man going door to door in the Orford area of Warrington.

If you are approached by anyone offering fireworks in suspicious or unusual circumstances please ring 08454 04 05 06

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It has been brought to the attention of Trading Standards that a home shopping catalogue is advertising can and bottle crushers for sale on the basis that these items must be crushed before going into the new blue recycling bins.

Warrington Borough Council would like to make it clear that this is not the case and only recommends that these items are crushed but it is not necessary.

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Cheshire Police are warning residents to take care following two reports of distraction burglaries on 9 October 2008.

A man visited the home of an elderly lady living in Appleton around 10.30am and claimed to be connected to her carer and to have visited her previously. Although the lady challenged him about this she did notice that a purse which had been on her walking frame was missing after he left. The man is described as in his late 20s or early 30s, approx 5’8. He was wearing a grey T shirt with blue front and an unknown badge or logo.

In another incident a man described as being of large build with a moustache and glasses visited the house of an elderly lady in Collins Green around noon and claimed that that he had damaged her fence. Her handbag was stolen when the lady she went to look at the alleged damage.

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It has been brought to the attention of Warrington Trading Standards that an e-mail offering FREE M&S vouchers is again in circulation.

The message states that in conjunction with Persimmon Homes, M&S are awarding free vouchers to anyone who advertises their products. In order to receive the vouchers you must forward the message to up to 20 people and within 2 weeks you will receive a reply e-mail with the vouchers attached.

Neither Marks and Spencer or Persimmon Homes have made any such promotional offer.

Please do not respond in anyway to unsolicited e-mails just delete immediately. The more an e-mail address is broadcast the more likely it is to receive junk,spam, phishing and other malicious communications.

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Trading Standards have been made aware that residents in Warrington have received unsolicited sales calls offering house alarms.

Traders will usually try to secure an appointment and will often promote a special offer for a limited time period. For example the trader may say that the alarm usually costs 1000 pounds but they are at present free with an installation cost of
just 250 pounds or else tie you into a long term rental commitment.

Please exercise extreme caution before inviting anyone into your home to discuss security or to buy products. The best advice is to always shop around obtaining at least 3 quotes before instructing a trader to carry out work.

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