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So someone's paranoia can determine how your canvassing is dealt with by the police? Seems a little bias and subjective.

 
With regards to 'aggressive commercial practices' it would have to be proved that you used 'harassment, coercion or undue influence'. Tactics that I'm assuming none of us employ. 'Do you need a window cleaner?' 'No thanks' 'okay bye'.

Timing and location are mentioned but only as aspects of harassment coercion etc.

If you're stopped by the police, ask them to make it clear what law you're breaking. Also take their name and numbers innit.

 
They put a sign on their door asking you not to call, but you decide to ignore it and call anyway,............

A constable in uniform may use dispersal powers to direct a person who is in a public place to leave the locality of that place and not to return for a specified period (maximum 48 hours) if two conditions are met: (i) the constable has reasonable grounds to suspect that the presence or behaviour of the person in the locality has contributed to or is likely to contribute to members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed or distressed, or the occurrence in the locality of crime of disorder; and (ii) the constable considers that giving a direction to a person under this section is necessary for the purpose of removing or reducing the likelihood of the events mentioned in (i). The constable may also require the surrender of an item being used to harass, alarm or distress members of the public.

If the officers want you gone, they will have you gone. There are many powers that can be used to remove someone.

The officers only have to display their force numbers if in uniform. They can refuse their names.

Out of uniform only rank and number must be given.

Personally I think there is no harm in knocking a door, asking a question and receiving an answer, but the original poster was removed by police and I have just tried to offer an explanation.

 
When the police asked me to move on the past, we used to sit down on the floor and see what they're next move was.
Forgive me if I sound confrontational, I've experienced and witnessed some unbelievable things, resulting in my challenging any 'perceived' authority at every oppurtunity.
Ultimately, an elderly or vulnerable homeowner should never feel threatened or intimidated due to canvassing, regardless of the law.

 
i had a spell of being pulled up and breathalysed . "my guess is that windies just downed a Jim Bean or 3 with his lunch and is now chuggin back to work "

 
When the police asked me to move on the past, we used to sit down on the floor and see what they're next move was.
Forgive me if I sound confrontational, I've experienced and witnessed some unbelievable things, resulting in my challenging any 'perceived' authority at every oppurtunity.
Ultimately, an elderly or vulnerable homeowner should never feel threatened or intimidated due to canvassing, regardless of the law.
We live our lives, using past experiences as a guide SPC, so I have no issue with you challenging. Now I'm out of the police I am a pain in the butt if stopped by the police because I know the law too and can tell if they are pulling a stunt.(which does happen) I am not saying that the police are right, I'm am just offering an insight to how they could deal with us if we are canvassing.

I agree the householder should not feel threaten by us but over the last few years there have been thousands of 'Distraction Burglary' cases, where the door gets knocked and someone slips in the back to grab whatever they can whilst the householder is busy at the front.

 
mind you I think you got out just in time sp as the cameras arrive...

are you allowed to turn em off whilst you fart and burp?:eek:

Its going to make for some great television in the future really loved car crash tv with all the dash cams taking off...:Da bit scary though

 
I've had loads of dubious interaction with the police. It's ironic, cause I'm so law abiding, Ive been stopped for driving through Amber on the way to A and E, stopped and searched while taking a short cut through a grave yard, also on the way to a park, that one was a riot van, another car, about 10 cops, a full search, and a drug warning though I had no signs of being a mark. pulled up for doing about 35mph in a 30 at 2am... On it goes, while daily I see anti social behaviour and speeding going un punished

However, I find door sellers irritating in the extreme, I'm usually busy/got kids to sleep, I only want someone knocking the door for an important reason, if I want a service I'll check google or ask people locally

 
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@Jimroot a lot of dodgy 'stop and search' requests are made. Some people in uniform feel very powerful and like to flex their authority. I left the hospital very late one night, my father was in the final stages of cancer. It's fair to say that I was not in the best of moods, nor maybe a good frame of mind.

As I drove through the city in my (then) white transit I noticed a patrol car following me. I noted that I was driving at 22mph so guessed they thought I was a drink driver and brought the speed back up to 30mph. Shortly afterwards the blues went on and I pulled in. The officer approached and demanded the rear doors be opened. I was a little surprised so didn't move immediately which annoyed him. He started raising his voice and told me to get the doors open. I have come to my senses by now and ask him why. He said 'because I said so'. So I locked my van and refused. I just stood there with my arms folded. He said he would arrest me so I said, 'crack on mate'.

He called for back up and I watched getting more and more annoyed. Another car pulled up and two guys jumped out. When they approached I recognised both of them and they did I.

I explained that I refused because the officer demanded I open the van but never acted within the law. The guys I knew sent him back to the station and we had a quick chat.

He should have stated the grounds for the search, the object for the search, his rank and number, his station, my entitlement to a written record of the search, the power he was using to detain me for the search and that I was detained and could not leave. He failed big style and I was not going to let him get away with it. (Remember my Dad was dying and I was angry) I regret it now, but I made a full formal complaint and the officer was investigated and disciplined.

 
Sounds like you were well within your rights there SP. When they detain people. Even for a few minutes, they should realise it's someone else's life they are stopping, with sick relatives, appointments to get to, whatever. It can also be the opposite of the nervous home owner, when I was stopped it freaked me out, a riot van and drugs allegations when I was about 19! It probably put me on edge for weeks about going for a simple walk

 
it does depend on the human factor to some extent...

I havent been stopped much....well one nice policeman who must have the best eyesight in the world stopped me on the motorway as he couldnt see my tax disc ...I had merely put it in the bottom of the window..but I did like his humour..

this was in my old big patched up mini bus...and I had been trying my best with hammerite to hold back the rust and losing...

he said...I see we are having some cosmetic works done then sir...

but when he saw the tax disc he was okay and let me go..

another stop was my fault...I had just got back from the hospital after leaving the wife waiting for one of the babies...she insisted it was coming soon..the nurse said ages..so I went home ..wifey was right..but not wanting to miss it I was caging it back...and mr policeman was hiding somewhere and caught me...but telling him where I was going he just told me to take my time...and that was it...

another pulled me locally for speeding after hiding in the bushes...which I thought a bit mean to be honest I think they just wanted to play chase and I am not the type to do a runner from the police as there is always only one winner..

he sat me in the car and said I was speeding and said well your not like the last guy we had in ...arent you going to argue...I said nope....I think I spoilt his day..

due to their unorthodox tactics of hiding in the bushes and not showing me any video I answered on the summons I would go to court..

I planned to fight it on two ground s one the gun was fired at me as I came under a solid metal railway bridge and I am guessing that would not make it very accurate...

and two the office where they were hiding used to come out onto the road and it no longer did as they have moved further up the road so the speed limit was set under different conditions ..these had recently changed...I was doing apparently 56 and was yards off a 60 sign..

so I think a lot of it depends on your reply to them and the officer in question...touch wood....I have had no problems with the police so far...

as far as the post is concerned if it says no cold calls then surely you just drop a leaflet and go...why antagonize the situation.?

 
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When I was sixteen I ran like a whippet so they never could catch me . Mind you if they shouted rabit I was fooked /emoticons/biggrin.png

 
They told me i was not aloud to knock on doors
Can't you argue that, by asking if they had a window cleaner, you are seeking information, not selling? A hedge-clearing chap came to a house the other day, while I was there, and was cold calling, then went all down the road knocking on doors. I wonder if you had continued they would have arrested you and charged you, with what.

 
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