Unwanted Callers Given Cold Shoulder

Residents in two areas of South Shields are set to give unwanted visitors a frosty reception.

No Cold Calling Zones have been established at Druridge Crescent and Marsden Lane.

The schemes are designed to deter salespeople from turning up uninvited at residents' homes and trying to sell them products or services, as well cracking down on doorstep crime such as distraction burglaries and rogue traders

Residents in both streets were consulted and were in favour of the zones being set up.

Cllr Joan Atkinson, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety, said: "No Cold Calling Zones send out a firm message to any uninvited callers to stay away.

"The majority of residents in these areas are older people and this kind of unsolicited visit can make them feel under pressure into welcoming strangers into their homes or paying for items they don't want or work they don't need.

"Many doorstep crimes are not reported to either Trading Standards or to the Police and research has shown that bogus callers will repeatedly target those who have been victims in the past. 

"These two new zones will take the total number of zones in the Borough to 19. We've had very positive feedback in other areas and we hope these new zones will give residents peace of mind and help them feel safer in their homes."

Signs have been put up around the two streets, warning salesmen and bogus officials they are not welcome in the neighbourhood.

The zones have been established by South Tyneside Council's Trading Standards Service, who have sent information packs to residents.

Although there is no law to prevent cold calling, the scheme, which is funded through the Council's Community Safety Team, encourages residents in the area to say 'no' to cold callers and to report them to Trading Standards if they enter the zone.

Residents living in No Cold Calling Zones are encouraged to report cold callers entering the zone to the Council's Trading Standards team by contacting 0191 424 7887 or by emailing trading.standards@southtyneside.gov.uk