Saying no to uninvited calls
MAJOR sales companies will be fined if they attempt to knock on doors in three areas of Brighouse.
Cold Calling Control Zones have been implemented in the Granny Hall Lane and Rydings areas as a means to prevent incidents of doorstep crime, raise awareness of the activities rogue traders who target vulnerable people, and give residents the confidence to say no to uninvited callers as a community.
Whinney Hill Park estate is the third area in Brighouse which was enforced in February.
Sergeant Dean Maddocks, from the Lower Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said they had received a positive response from residents in both areas. “The Cold Calling Control Zone empowers people if traders come knocking. They have a direct number to ring to report the companies or the agencies working on behalf of the companies, who will deal with them and tell them to get out,” he said. “If they continue to call they are potentially fined.”
The restriction covers surrounding areas like Slead Syke.
“We have received complaints about cold calling suspicious activity and over the years we have had some burglaries and other small incidents in the areas but its is quite a simple way of allowing people to deal with this,” said Sgt Maddocks. “We have had a good reaction from people who have been asking for it for some time and happy that it is going ahead.”
He said the restrictions at Whinney Hill were also going well. “There has been people coming on and people have reported it to Trading Standards and to us. Also had companies ringing to say we are going to be doing some canvassing in the area until we explain that it is a cold calling zone.”
Councillor Scott Benton (Con, Brighouse) said: “People see the success it has had at Whinney Hill and if one community can have it why can’t we. And I think anything that puts their minds at rest is a good thing.”
Councillor Ann Martin (Lab, Brighouse) added: “It is piece of mind for people. They have a designated number to ring if anybody does call.
“There are some elderly people who are intimidated by these things so the fact that they have a designated number will give them piece of mind.”
The signs, funded by Proceeds of Crime, will be erected shortly.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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