Business information

Cold callers given cold shoulder in Puckeridge

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

To deter would-be criminals and unwelcome visits from people trying to sell goods and services, the following areas will become No Cold Calling Areas (NCCA) from Tuesday, March 11 - Northfields sheltered and retirement housing, Park Lane, Roman Way, Larkens Close, The Moat, Park Drive, Chapmans End, Fishers Mead, Fishers Close and Roundhaye.

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.

County Councillor Richard Smith, Executive Member for Community Safety, 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 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.”

Sgt Duncan Wallace, from the Safer Neighbourhoods Team for Puckeridge, praised the hard work of Buntingford-based Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Amanda Higham and Jo Alston in setting up the areas.

He said: "Elderly and vulnerable residents can often feel intimidated by door-to-door salespeople. We hope that by introducing a no cold calling zone it will offer reassurance to communities and help to make them feel safer. Similar zones across the county are proving to be extremely successful."

Northfields sheltered scheme of 30 flats and 6 bungalows is owned by South Anglia Housing. Joanne Watkins, scheme manager, said: “All our residents are 100% behind it. It will give greater peace of mind to our residents and will stop doorstep traders coming round and banging on our residents’ windows, which can be extremely scary. It will also send a warning to those who come round leafleting the scheme and making people feel uneasy in their own homes.”

The first NCCA in the county was set up in Potters Bar in October 2005. Similar schemes have also been set up in Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Royston, Codicote, Carpenders Park, Hitchin, Borehamwood, Redbourn and St Albans. These have already proved to be very successful in deterring doorstep operators in those areas.