No Cold Calling Zones Launch in Moray

Moray Council Trading Standards and Grampian Police today launch Moray's first NO COLD CALLING ZONES to protect vulnerable householders from the rising tide of doorstep crime. The zones, set up in partnership with Neighbourhood Watch, are a community statement that 'cold call' doorstep sellers are not welcome. 10 neighbourhoods have agreed to pilot the zones, ranging in size, from a few households to whole villages. People have been trusting of salespeople calling at their doors, but all too often have ended up agreeing to work that is either unnecessary, substandard or overpriced. When whole communities have the confidence to say "no", rogue traders will soon get the message. Street signs reinforce the message that cold callers are not wanted.

Cold calling zones sprung from a national survey carried out by the Trading Standards Institute where 96% said they simply did not want doorstep cold callers. This report was backed up by a Moray Citizen's Panel Survey that found that one in six people had suffered a bad experience of doorstep sales and that 81% of local residents favoured action to discourage doorstep sales.

Ruth Sutherland from Trading Standards commented, "We have been overwhelmed by the positive response from Neighbourhood Watch coordinators. They have helped us introduce the first 10 zones across Moray from Cullen to Forres. We hope to set up more zones in the coming year and would be pleased to advise community groups on how to get their own zones up an running."

Grampian Police have been delighted at the response and enthusiasm shown by the Neighbourhood Watch coordinators who have helped to launch the No Cold Calling Zones in Moray. A spokesman said, "Unfortunately there are individuals who will call at people's doors on the pretext of selling goods or services in order to steal from the occupant or persuade them into hand over money for work which is either never done or never completed. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable and by setting up a No Cold Calling Zone local people can play an active part in protecting the more vulnerable people within our communities."

In launching the project Councillor Wilson, Chairman of Moray Council's Environmental Services Committee, thanked the Neighbourhood Watch coordinators for their enthusiasm and the project's co-sponsor BT for their financial support in paying for the street signs. He said," Moray Council is very pleased to see these community projects flourishing. We are happy to be able to support the groups by distributing free information leaflets and door stickers for all households in the No Cold Calling Zones and BT have enabled us to provide street signs that make the community's feelings clear."

Although the initial zones have been organised through Neighbourhood Watch, they are open to any groups who want to protect their community. Interested groups should contact Trading Standards on 01343 554612.