First no cold calling zone in Walsall
The first no cold calling zone has been set up in Walsall in a bid to reduce doorstep crime in the area.
More than 700 residents responded to a public consultation in Bentley and said they were in favour of the zone going ahead.
The scheme, which was launched on Tuesday, is the brainchild of Walsall Trading Standards, which has worked in partnership with local councillors, community safety teams, Walsall Housing Group, neighbourhood management teams and police.
It comes after a spate of distraction burglaries and doorstep crime in and around Bentley and signs have been put up advising would-be traders they are not welcome and should refrain from calling in the area.
A total of 63 streets were covered as part of the consultation process and each property was issued with a sticker to put up in their window warning off cold callers.
Councillor Chris Towe, cabinet member for environment, said: "Evidence suggests that bogus cold callers and rogue traders have been directly responsible for a significant number of doorstep crimes within the area.
"For many older and more vulnerable residents, cold callers can be very convincing or intimidating.
"With the held of the police and other partners, Trading Standards officers have erected signs and stickers in the Bentley area warning door to door sellers that they are not welcome.
"This has proven to be a success in other parts of the country and helps to reduce doorstep crime.
"The effectiveness of the Bentley zone will be closely monitored and, if successful, some of the lessons learned may well serve to inform future work in other areas across the borough."
Bentley is the first area in the borough to become a no cold calling zone and more could benefit from the scheme later this year.
In January hundreds of residents across Walsall were given advice on how to prevent being conned by bogus callers.
Officers from West Midlands Police handed out crime prevention packs and no cold caller stickers to more than 300 homeowners for display on windows and doors.
Anyone looking for a skilled worker to carry out work in the home is urged to contact Walsall Trader Register to find a reputable trader.
For more information on the no cold calling zone call Trading Standards on 01922 653040 or visit www.traderregister.org.uk
