Around 800 homes in The Bryn estate in Pontllanfraith are to benefit after the area was made an official ‘No Cold Calling Zone’.
Officers from Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team joined forces with the Blackwood Neighbourhood Policing Team and the local Neighbourhood Watch to implement the ‘No Cold Calling Zone’, which aims to reduce doorstep crime in the area.
Doorstep crime can include anything from rogue home improvement firms, to bogus officials and bogus charities.
A large proportion of the residents living within the zone area are also over 60 years of age, and incidents of bogus callers have been reported previously.
Over 98% of people living in the area were keen to see the zone introduced.
Taking these factors into account, the decision was made to implement a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ as opposed to the lesser ‘Cold Calling Control Zone’, used by some neighbouring authorities.
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 window stickers have been given to residents to discourage doorstep callers and rogue traders.
A pack has been provided to residents containing information that will give them the necessary skills to be vigilant of doorstep callers.
Cllr Lyn Ackerman, Cabinet Member for the Environment said, “We are pleased to have worked with the community in launching this initiative in The Bryn.
“‘No Cold Calling Zones’ are about people being safe in their communities and having the full backing of the council and the police when it comes to dealing with the small minority of people who partake in doorstep crime.”
Cllr Judith Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Social Services said, “The implementation of ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ such as this clearly illustrate how the council, police and the community can work together to protect some of our most vulnerable residents against the threat of doorstep crime.”
Pontllanfraith ward officer, PC Marc Sturgess, said: “A large of number of residents in this area are elderly and the introduction of the No Cold Calling Zone will hopefully provide them with further reassurance and confidence to say no to doorstep callers that they don’t know. It’s important that residents feel safe and secure in their own homes, and the use of signs and stickers will make it clear to doorstep callers that they are not welcome in the area.”
A resident of The Bryn estate said, “It is good that the council and police, together with our Neighbourhood Watch and the local community are helping to take action against doorstep callers in the area.
“I hope this No Cold Calling Zone will have a positive impact in deterring cold callers from calling altogether however I now feel much more confident and better equipped to say no should they call”.
The Bryn estate in Pontllanfraith is only the second area to be made a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ in Caerphilly county borough. The first was set up in November 2008 to covers several streets in Trethomas.
This initiative was made possible thanks to funding from the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership.
For further information, please contact Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team on 01495 235 291.
