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RINGMER - a 'No Cold Calling Zone' ?

 

A speaker from East Sussex Trading Standards addressed the Ringmer Parish Council meeting on 10^th July 2008.  Consideration is being given to Ringmer being a 'No Cold Calling' zone.  The matter will be further discussed at the Parish Council meeting on 11th September. 

 

Cold Callers have long been a cause for concern.  These are uninvited and unwanted trades people who call at your door trying to persuade you to buy their particular product or services.  This is not suggesting they are all rogues - many are indeed 'above board' but all too often this kind of activity is a prelude to distraction burglary, i.e. when one person keeps you preoccupied while another steals your property.

 

'No Cold Calling' zones have been set up in numerous areas of East Sussex including, in part or in whole, Polegate, Peacehaven, Bishopstone, Willingdon, Westham, Pevensey and Pevensey Bay.  The setting up of a zone is a multi-agency endeavour, including local councils, Neighbourhood Watch and other interested organisations.  Trading Standards act as a facilitator for the zones.  The local organisations within the Parishes implement the zones. 

 

Whilst one cannot actually prevent someone calling at your door, much can be done by way of publicity, notices and road signs to make it clear that cold callers are not welcome.  Literature is also available to assist residents in dealing with such callers. 

 

Trading Standards officers can, and often do, turn out if advised of any such local activity, to check credentials and ask those concerned to respect the wishes of local residents who do not wish to be cold called.

 

Please see the following link to an East Sussex County Council press release:

http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/pressoffice/pressreleases/2008/03/1884.htm