Cold callers warned off in Milnrow

Residents rally together to give cold callers the cold shoulder

Cold callers in Milnrow will be given the cold shoulder by residents who’ve made their community a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’.

109 houses across Sheriff Street, Chadwick Close, Heaton Street, and Royds Street will be part of the fifth No Cold Calling Zone to be introduced in the borough as part of a partnership commitment to crack down on doorstep crime.

Rochdale Borough Council, along with the police, fire service, age concern and many other local agencies in the borough will work together to try and combat the problem.

These zones aim to discourage cold callers and fraudsters from the area helping to reduce doorstop crimes and burglaries.

Warning signs have been fitted to lamp posts in the surrounding streets and the 109 households will receive crime reduction advice and home security tips.

The council’s trading standards officers and PCSO’s visited all residents to gain support for the zone and 100 per cent of households signed up for the scheme.

Gwilym Davies, Crime and Disorder Officer at Rochdale Borough Council, said:

“These Milnrow residents are being urged to have nothing to do doorstep sellers. The clear message they aim to send to bogus callers is ‘you’re not welcome here’.

“The initiative will rely heavily on the residents, not only in changing the way they deal with doorstep callers, but also reporting incidents to either the police or to trading standards.”

Dale Mulgrew, cabinet member for Community Safety at Rochdale Borough Council, added:

“I’m confident the zone will be just as successful as the others in Rochdale in helping to protect some of our most vulnerable elderly residents that are often the target of doorstep crimes.”

Craig Mayberry from the Pennine Neighbourhood Investigation Unit offered this warning to residents:

“We just want to remind residents to be cautious when walking home and entering their homes. Be wary of anyone walking suspiciously behind you and be vigilant of strangers entering the building where you live.

“If anyone looks suspicious or is calling unexpectedly, make sure you ask for identification, all official workers carry ID and are happy to show it.

“We also ask anyone with elderly relatives, especially those that live alone, to make them aware of these crime prevention measures. Our message to everyone is simple if you are not sure about a person’s identity don’t invite them in.”

If you’re a victim of doorstep crime, call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 782 5050 or in an emergency 999. The council’s trading standards team can offer advice and contact details for reputable traders – to find out more call 01706 924 238.