Information on Loughborough

Successful No Cold Calling Zone

Posted on 06/08/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

6 August 2009

Successful No Cold Calling Zone

Leicestershire is celebrating an achievement in its fight against doorstep crime. The County Council’s Trading Standards Service, working in partnership with Leicestershire Police and Neighbourhood Watch are looking forward to seeing the 400th zone being established in the summer, thanks to funding from the East Midlands Efficiency and Improvement Programme

The zones cover small neighbourhoods where there have been problems relating to doorstep crime such as where residents have been targeted by bogus roof repairers, charity collectors, tarmacers and offers of garden maintenance and have either lost money or felt intimidated into having work carried out. Zones are easily identified by signs attached to lamp posts.

Leicestershire Trading Standards Service monitors activity in the zones and are pleased that most reputable businesses respect the residents’ wishes and do not cold call. Early indications from local crime statistics suggest a marked reduction in both cold calling and doorstep crime.

David Bull of Head of Leicestershire County Council’s Trading Standards Service, said ‘We are delighted that the zones seem to be helping to reduce doorstep crime and meeting resident’s wishes by reducing cold calling. Whilst most businesses respect the zones and do not cold call there are regrettably a minority who take no notice and continue to cold call. Common complaints relate to energy suppliers, businesses selling replacement windows and charity collectors; this often causes frustration for the residents, particularly if they feel pressured into agreeing to something without being given time to consider properly what is on offer. And this will not help residents to spot and challenge the rogue traders and con men who prey upon the more vulnerable amongst us’

Steve Hasting of North West Leicestershire Police says ‘No cold calling zones are part of our campaign to tackle distraction burglaries and the people who commit these offences. The strength of the scheme lies in the knowledge that everyone on the street feels the same way about unwanted visitors and has been given advice about how to handle doors step callers’.

REMEMBER if you have agreed to have work carried out in your home as a result of a “cold call” you are entitled to a period of up to 7 days in which to cancel the agreement. Written notice of your cancellation rights must be given and if this does not happen, the seller cannot enforce the agreement against you through the courts. Please contact Consumer Direct on 0845 04 05 06 for further advice about your cancellation rights, how to avoid door step crime or if you would like a “no cold callers” door sticker.

Contacts Graham Coe 0116 305 6547

Keith Regan 0116 305 6533

Notes to Editor

  • Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work etc Regulations 2008

    • These regulations apply to a contract made between a consumer and a trader which is for the supply of goods or services to the consumer by a trader which is made.

  • during a visit by the trader to the consumer’s home or place of work, or to the home of another individual
  • during an excursion organised by the trader away from his business premises, or
  • after an offer made by the consumer during such a visit or excursion.

    • (there are some excepted contracts)

    A contract to which these Regulations apply shall not be enforceable against the consumer unless the trader has given the consumer a notice of the right to cancel and the information required in accordance with this regulation.

    The notice must:

  • be dated
  • indicate the right of the consumer to cancel the contract within the cancellation period
  • be easily legible

    • The legislation also gives further details of the format and content of the notice.

    A trader found guilty of an offence by failing to give the consumer a notice of the right to cancel is liable to a fine not exceeding £5000.

  • There are zones in every district in Leicestershire.
  • It is not possible to say where the 400th zone will be.
  • The project is funded from a bid to EM IEP of £88,000 and this covers zones to be established in Leicestershire, Leicester City and Rutland.
  • Cost per average zone - approx 50 homes, is approximately £50.00 to £60.00.
  • If the press want to speak to a resident in a zone then contact Desmond Macquire, 0116 2697430 who lives in Thurlaston.

    • Leicestershire Trading Standards - www.leics.gov.uk/TradingStandards