Trading Standards services and Police Forces in Wales have combined to produce a Factsheet for Welsh consumers, to explain the methods behind the forthcoming population census.
Very soon people across Wales will be required to take part in the National census, by completing a questionnaire on or around the official “census day” of 27th March 2011. Indeed, people may have already received their questionnaires in readiness for the census day. As such, the aforementioned agencies are keen to outline the role of census collectors, to avoid people being duped by opportunists or impostors
Generally, the only time people will receive a personal visit is where they have failed to return the questionnaire. Even then, collectors will have a clear role to assist and advise, and should not be asking for any personal details.
David Riley, Chair of the Wales Heads of Trading Standards said “In conjunction with the Welsh Police Forces, we’ve produced a 1-page Factsheet which clearly explains what collectors will and will not do. This complements the official census website, which is full of good information. We don’t want to alarm people, but feel it’s important to recognise that there are doorstep crime opportunists out there who will take advantage of any misconceptions on the part of the public.”
The Factsheet can be downloaded from www.tradingstandardswales.org.uk, or can be obtained by contacting your local council’s Trading Standards section.
