The South Glos Post

Trading standards officers in South Gloucestershire have stepped up their efforts to combat incidents of rogue trading in the area with the introduction of four more ‘No Cold Calling Zones’.

The zones were set up by trading standards at the request of residents and Neighbourhood Watch groups, who have chosen to say ‘no’ to uninvited doorstep callers.

The new zones cover Cooks Close in Bradley Stoke, Simmonds View in Stoke Gifford, Kings Drive in Hanham and Sunningdale, Sandy Lodge, Troon and Hoylake in Yate.

Visitors to the No Cold Calling Zones will see street signs on lamp posts to warn traders, and residents will also be provided with information packs and a door/window sticker to display. The aim is to protect residents as well as empowering them to refuse traders selling at their door, through advice and information.

Residents are encouraged to report breaches of the zones to trading standards and the police as traders who ignore the zones could find themselves being arrested for committing an offence.

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Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Cold callers are being frozen out in Yate thanks to a new pilot scheme between South Gloucestershire Council and Avon and Somerset Police.

‘No Cold Calling Zones’ have been launched in parts of the town in a bid to help reduce doorstep crime. They have been set up by the Council’s trading standards officers with support from police and local Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

Doorstep crime can range from rogue home improvement firms, to bogus officials and charities.

The first No Cold Calling Zones are being introduced in the Walton Heath and Ferndown areas in Yate.

No Cold Calling Zones are identified by street signs and stickers on the front doors of houses. Residents are provided with advice on how to say ‘no’ to unwanted callers and also encouraged to report callers who ignore the zones to trading standards or the police.

Councillor Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said: “We are working in close partnership with the police and the local neighbourhood watch to launch the No Cold Calling Zones to help tackle doorstop crime.

“This initiative will expand on the approved trader scheme the council runs, Buy With Confidence, to make it harder for rogue traders to potentially exploit often vulnerable residents with intimidating and unscrupulous tactics.”

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Source: South Gloucestershire Council