No cold calling zone a success

Heywood's no cold calling zone was launched in December 2006, and covers 83 houses on Longford Street and surrounding streets.

It was set up to reduce the number of bogus callers, distraction burglars and rogue traders operating in the area, and has involved measures such as warning signs on lamp posts, leaflets advising vulnerable residents on how to deal with cold callers and investigating crimes to identify serial offenders.

Police, Trading Standards, Community Safety, Careline and other agencies have been working together to tackle the problem, and have achieved some good results.

To measure the success of the zone, a questionnaire was sent out to all the residents before its launch asking them about how they dealt with cold callers.  An identical questionnaire was sent out three months later, and the two sets of answers were compared.

Results show a 40 per cent reduction in cold callers since the zone was launched – seven per cent of residents said they never had cold callers before the zone was introduced, compared to 47 per cent after.

Those who did receive cold calls said the majority of callers were from religious groups rather than sales people or rogue traders.  

Nicola Oldham, GMP Homewatch administrator for the area, said: “These results are proof that the zone in Heywood has been a success.  We are committed to reducing doorstep crime, and will continue to use police community support officers, partnership officers and special constables to carry out high-profile policing in hotspot areas.  

“After the success of this pilot, there’s potential for more ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ in future, and we are now in the process of setting one up in the Alkrington area of Middleton.”
Councillor Ted Flynn, Rochdale Council’s portfolio holder for crime and disorder, said: "Helping to make people feel safer is a top priority for the council so I am delighted that joint action by the organizations involved in Heywood's 'No Cold Calling Zone' has reduced cold calling so much.

"People who pose as door-to-door sellers to steal often leave their victims fearful of anyone who knocks on their door. By deterring criminals and rogue traders 'No Cold Calling Zones' help everyone feel safer in their own homes particularly those who have been victims of or are vulnerable to sneak thieves.

"The success of the zone in Heywood will be a big boost to our efforts to extend the zones to other parts of the borough."

Andy Glover, Rochdale Council's Chief Trading Standards Officer, added: "By deterring doorstep salesmen from operating in Heywood's 'No Cold Calling Zone', we have helped to protect vulnerable members of the community from being targeted by rogue tradesmen”

Despite the success of the zone in Heywood, doorstep crime is still a problem in other areas of Rochdale.

Police are encouraging any victims of this crime to call them on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.  To find out more about the Registered Trader scheme, call 01706 864186.