Business information

Cold callers given the cold shoulder in St Albans

Residents in St Albans 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 and services, the following areas will become No Cold Calling Areas (NCCA) from Thursday, February 21 - Perrycoste Court, a sheltered housing scheme, and Taylor Close.

The areas were launched in partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary. 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.”

Neighbourhood Inspector Mike Hanson said: “This is a wonderful initiative and we fully endorse this. It is the result of months of working between police, Trading Standards and other partner agencies. Other similar zones which have been launched across the county have proven to be extremely successful.

“It is a positive result and we hope that the residents will feel safer with the launch of this zone.”

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 and Redbourn. These have already proved to be very successful in deterring doorstep operators in those areas.