Harrogate Borough Council

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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.

 

 

For further information on 'no cold calling zones', contact Trading Standards on: 08454 040506.  Councillor Les Ellington is available for comment on 01423 712461