Harrogate and District Safer Communities Partnership (HDCSP)
has been working with North Yorkshire County Council's Trading
Standards to set up 'No Cold Calling Zones' across the
district.
Where residents in an area are in full agreement, Trading
Standards can create the zones in which doorstop salesmen are
discouraged from visiting, and they encourage residents to feel
more confident in saying no to uninvited salespeople.
Manor Road in Knaresborough marks the last of seven No Cold
Calling Zones to be established in the district in this financial
year.
Chair of the Harrogate and District Safer Communities
Partnership, Councillor Les Ellington said:
"Cold calling, as it is known, is used by both rogue traders and
legitimate companies, initially it can be difficult for the public
to distinguish between the
two. Having these 'No
Cold Calling Zones' sends out a clear warning to rogue traders that
they are not welcome in our area."
Doorstep crime includes all aspects of crime arising from
doorstep callers, including distraction
burglary. Distraction burglary is where a caller
distracts the householder, sometimes posing as bogus officials,
whilst an accomplice steals from them.
Whilst this type of criminal behaviour can impact on anybody
and can happen anywhere, research shows that older people and those
living alone are particularly at risk.
HDSCP project officer, Andrea Hutton said: "In the Harrogate
district there are 20 No Cold Calling Zones. The
residents in each of the areas have welcomed the zones that have
been set up to protect them from companies willing to exploit
vulnerable residents in the district."
The HDSCP has funded seven zones that have been set up this
year, including Rossett Beck, Harrogate; Dene Park/Dene Park Close,
Harrogate; Stone Rings Lane, Harrogate; Larkfield Road, Harrogate;
Riverview Road/Bridge View Road, Ripon; Wayside Walk, Harrogate and
Manor Road. Knaresborough. The Partnership has
also previously funded two further zones in Albany Avenue and
Swinton Court Harrogate.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: There will be a photo opportunity at
Manor Road, Knaresborough, at 10.45am on March
20. A representative from the HDSCP, Trading
Standards and a Police Community Support Officer will be in
attendance and possibly a representative of Neighbourhood
Watch.
For further information on 'no cold calling zones', contact
Trading Standards on: 08454 040506. Councillor
Les Ellington is available for comment on 01423 712461