Door-to-door fish-sellers have been aggressively peddling their wares to residents of Hampstead – filling their freezers with fish when customers have only agreed to buy one.

There have been reports that some people in the Willoughby Road area have been pressurised into spending upwards of £200 as a result of the hard-nosed sales tactics.

There are also concerns that the elderly and more vulnerable are being targeted.

In the past two years Camden Council has received six complaints about such fish-sellers and last Thursday a street team spotted four men selling fish door-to-door out of a van.

Cllr Abdul Hai, cabinet member for community safety, said: “We have been made aware of a number of individuals selling fish products door-to-door in the borough and allegedly using aggressive sales tactics.”

He added: “Some residents have been pressurised into spending in excess of £200 as they have feel they have no alternative when the sellers are stood in their kitchen.

“As these sellers operate from a van there is the very real possibility that the fish is being sold not as described, extortionately priced and short weight.

“There is also the potential of a health risk because of the way the fish is transported and stored, meaning it may not be fit for human consumption.”

n The council has urged people not to buy from these sellers. If you have bought bad fish or been pressurised into making purchases, contact Trading Standards on 020 7974 4444.