Alkrington no cold calling zone

Date published: 19 February 2008

Greater Manchester Police, Trading Standards, Community Safety, the Fire amp; Rescue Service and other agencies on the local Doorstep Crime Action Group have been working together to crack down on doorstep crime.

As a result, they have set up a "No Cold Calling Zone’ in Alkrington, covering Moss Lane.

Metal warning signs will be fitted to lamp posts in surrounding streets and 60 households will each receive supporting material.

Trading Standards Officers and PCSO’s visited all residents affected by the zone to receive support for the initiative.

The initiative will rely heavily on members of the public, not only in changing the way they deal with and tolerate doorstep callers, but also reporting incidents to either the police or to trading standards.

Serious doorstep crime incidents are rare, but when they do happen they can be very upsetting. Criminals often target older, vulnerable people.

Andy Glover, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council’s Chief Trading Standards Officer, said: "This is the third no cold calling zone in the borough and we anticipate that it will be as successful as the first scheme in Syke. The Alkrington residents welcomed the idea of the no cold calling zone and we hope that it will help us to further reduce doorstep crime incidents."

Nicola Oldham, GMP Homewatch Administrator said: "A good deal of doorstep crime could be prevented if residents were more aware of "doorstep etiquette".  As part of this scheme, we want to work with local people and teach them how to be more assertive when dealing with cold callers."

If you are a victim of doorstep crime, call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. To find out more about the Registered Trader scheme:

Email: trading.standards@rochdale.gov.uk

Tel: 01706 924186.