Residents in two Nelson streets now have peace of mind against the possibility of cold calling and doorstep crime, with the introduction of a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’.
Residents living at houses 1-21 in Church Lane and 1-35 and 48-51 in Llwyn-yr-Eos are covered by the No Cold Calling Zone, which was introduced by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team and Gwent Police following a number of distraction burglaries in the area.
The streets covered by the zone contain many houses occupied by older or vulnerable residents.
Cllr Rob Gough, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Engineering and Transport said, “Doorstep crime can include anything from rogue home improvement firms to bogus officials and bogus charities”.
He continued, “No Cold Calling Zones are about people feeling safe in their community, and knowing that they have the full backing of the council and police when dealing with the small minority of people who partake in doorstep crime”.
While a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ does not make doorstep calling illegal, it does make it clear that it is not welcome.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Community Safety Wardens have erected signs on street lampposts and the local Neighbourhood Policing Team are distributing window stickers and information packs to residents, which contain information that will help give them the necessary skills to be vigilant of doorstep callers.
Nelson Ward PCSO Matthew Jones said: “Establishing this ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ is all about the community of Nelson working together and having the confidence to turn away uninvited salespeople as well as displaying a warning to rogue traders and cold-callers that they are not welcome in the Nelson area”.
He continued, “By working with our partners, we are determined to make Nelson an even safer place to live – and this is a fantastic way to ensure residents feel safe and secure within their own homes.”
This ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ is the fourth to have been introduced across Caerphilly county borough. Several streets in Trethomas, The Bryn Estate in Pontllanfraith and Pantside in Newbridge all have also been made No Cold Calling Zones.
For further information, please contact Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team on 01495 235 291.
