Business information

Cold callers left out in the cold in Berkhamsted

Residents in Berkhamsted plagued by rogue traders, distraction burglars and door-to-door salespeople will have some respite from unwanted callers thanks to the extension of a Hertfordshire Trading Standards scheme.

To deter would-be criminals and unwelcome visits from people trying to sell goods, Emerton Garth and Emerton Court (also known as Mandelyns) on the private Springwood estate in Northchurch, which is home to people aged 55 and over, will become a no-cold calling zone from Tuesday, 25 September.

Clear street signs will be erected stating 'No uninvited salespeople' with a contact number for Trading Standards. Residents will be given a pack containing information about their rights as consumers and useful telephone numbers to call if they are concerned about a cold caller.

The zone was launched alongside Herts police after 100 per cent of the 48 households who responded to a survey gave their support to the scheme. It becomes the 13th No Cold Calling Area (NCCA) in the county.

Keith Emsall, Executive Member for Community Safety and Culture, said: "Residents should know their rights and feel confident enough to say 'no' when they do not want to purchase goods or services.

"We have had considerable success over the past 18 months in getting rogue traders prosecuted through the courts, and will keep up the pressure on people who misuse these tactics.

"There are, of course, legitimate businesses which cold call. But because that practice has been hijacked by distraction burglars and other criminals who prey on vulnerable residents, it has become an unwanted menace and local people have left us in no doubt that they don't want cold callers at all."

The audit conducted at Emerton Garth and Emerton Court also involved the fire service, district council, West Herts Against Crime (WHAC), Age Concern and Crime Prevention Panels. Smoke alarms and door chains were fitted at a number of homes and those who were not already members of Neighbourhood Watch were given contact details for their local scheme.

Dacorum Crime Prevention Officer David Mahon said: "Two recent incidents demonstrate the importance of this scheme. In Tring, two men knocked on the door of an elderly man and said they would trim his trees for £45. When they finished they demanded £145 for cutting one branch down and he paid as he was worried about their reaction if he refused.

"And a woman claiming to be from Age Concern said that two elderly residents had won prizes in Hemel and Tring. Fortunately, both elderly residents refused the woman entry, so the message is getting out - do not let bogus callers in."

The first NCCA in the county was set up in Potters Bar in October last year. Similar schemes have also been set up in Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Royston, Codicote, Carpenders Park, Hitchin and Elstree Park, Borehamwood. These have already proved to be very successful in deterring doorstep operators in those areas.

While Trading Standards and Hertfordshire Constabulary have carried out a series of successful prosecutions for this kind of crime over the past 18 months, they are urging local people to remain on their guard.

Residents are also being reminded that they have the right to receive a cancellation notice on any goods or services purchased from a cold caller. These give the buyer a seven-day cooling off period in which to cancel the order. Failure to leave a notice is a criminal offence and consumers do not have to pay for any work done.

For more information and advice please call the Doorstep Hotline on 084560 444 666.