No Cold Calling Areas

In 42 areas of Lancashire the residents have banded together to say No to Uninvited Salespeople. Such schemes can be established with the support of neighbourhood organisations, the Police and Trading Standards and warn traders in the area that the residents will not do business with them over the doorstep.

A survey of 8000 householders nationally, carried out by the Trading Standards Institute in 2003 indicated that 96% of them did not want doorstep sellers cold calling.

The No Cold Calling Areas form part of a large scale project in Lancashire involving the Police, Trading Standards, Social Services, Age Concern, Victim Support, Neighbourhood Watch and many other agencies, to reduce doorstep crime and raise awareness amongst Lancashire residents, particularly the most vulnerable.

To clarify, cold calling does not include businesses such as cosmetic and houseware catalogues. In instances such as these you have the opportunity to browse the catalogues and are not put under pressure to buy immediately. Charity collections where an envelope is put through your door again are not cold calling. BUT If you are in any doubt as to the authenticity, say no.

The No Cold Calling Area scheme carries no legal standing. If such a zone is introduced in your area, it will be after full consultation and with the agreement of the residents. The choice to use or display the sticker provided is yours but the fact that all occupiers of a particular area display the sticker is highly effective in deterring cold callers, and in empowering the more vulnerable members of the community to say no to cold callers and call on community support to assist them whenever necessary.

Those who turn away uninvited sales people or have suspicions about bogus traders operating in the area, are asked to let Trading Standards or the Police know. All information is gratefully received to help us reduce crime.

Positive experience so far?

When surveyed, 104 out of 118 residents responding in one area felt more confident about handling doorstep crime issues since the zone was implemented.

109 would report an incident of doorstep calling.

108 would always check identity following implementation of the zone.

The launch of our first No Cold Calling Zone in Morecambe 2005

If you are interested in setting up a No Cold Calling Area where you live, remember it has to have wide community Support and cannot be imposed by the Police or Trading Standards. We also have to carefully consider officer time and resources in implementing the areas so where support does exist we may have to put you on a waiting list of areas for consideration.

If you are interested in receiving more information regarding No Cold Calling Zones please email feedback@lancashire.gov.uk .

No Cold Calling Areas under consultation
This Service is currently engaging in consultation regarding the establishment of 4 'No Cold Calling Areas', 2 in Thornton Cleveleys, one in Thornton and one in the Frenchwood area of Preston.

Views are invited from those who may be directly affected by the Areas, including residents, consumer groups, the voluntary sector, traders and organisations that represent traders which cold call (or are likely to call) door to door. 

Views on the proposal to set up the Areas should be submitted by post to Lancashire County Council, Trading Standards Service, 55 Guildhall Street, PRESTON Lancashire PR1 3NU or by email to: feedback@lancashire.gov.uk

The closing date for receiving views is 5th March 2010

Page updated 18 February 2010

Lancashire County Council Trading Standards, 58-60 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancashire PR1 3NU.
Telephone: 0845 600 1352 or (01772) 533573   Fax: (01772) 533591   Electronic Mail: feedback@lancashire.gov.uk

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