Cold Calling is the term for any uninvited visit by a trader to a consumer where the ultimate aim is to enter into a contract for goods or services. Whilst cold calling is not currently illegal, it is a practice that the vast majority of people do not want and some people find intimidating and frightening. So-called ‘doorstep crime’ often results from an initial cold call. Unscrupulous traders will prey on the elderly and vulnerable members of society, carry out unnecessary, substandard and sometimes even dangerous work and then use strong arm tactics to persuade consumers to part with large sums of money for poor workmanship. In addition, burglars may use cold calling as a pretext to engage in distraction burglary or sneak in thefts.

As part of our doorstep crime initiative West Yorkshire Trading Standards is implementing Cold Calling Control Zones. These are being established in response to increasing complaints about cold callers and doorstep crime in the county and form part of a national programme supported by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI). They have been established with the help and support of the Police, Community Safety Partnerships, Neighbourhood Watch Groups, local Councillors and most importantly, local residents.

Cold Calling Control Zones are areas which are considered to be vulnerable to doorstep crime and in which the residents have stated they do not want cold callers. The zones give consumers the confidence to collectively say ‘NO’ to these callers.

The zones are clearly identified by signs on street lights and each resident is provided with a doorstoppers pack containing a door sticker and lots of useful information and advice for householders covering consumer rights and general home safety advice.

The zones have been hailed a huge success nationally and have been shown to reduce overall crime in the area.

For a list of areas covered click on the links below

• All of West Yorkshire
• Bradford
• Calderdale
• Kirklees
• Leeds

If you live in an area covered by a zone and are aware of cold calling taking place, or would like further information on setting up a zone in your area, please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or click here and use the online form

 

Cold Calling Control Zones

DISTRICT		AREA		LOCATION		NO. OF HOUSES COVERED		DATE ESTABLISHED
Bradford		West Bowling		Pembroke St Ackworth St St Stephens Road		200		24/05/2005
Calderdale		Hebden Bridge		Hirst Gr Manor Croft Manor Dr Wadsworth Ln		230		05/09/2006
Kirklees		Clayton West		Entire Ward		1000		28/06/2007
Kirklees		Denby Dale		Entire Ward		1000		28/06/2007
Kirklees		Emley		Entire Village		1200		04/01/2005
Kirklees		Meltham		Entire Town		3500		11/10/2006
Leeds		Bramley		Victoria Park Ave Abbey Mt Kirkstall Ave Kirkstall Mt Lancastre Ave Lancastre Gr Raynville Ave Raynville Gr Raynville Terr Raynville Mt Landseer Ave Landseer Gr Landseer Terr		300		30/05/2007
Leeds		Bramley		Warrels Mt Warrels Rd Warrels St Warrels Pl Warrels Terr Ferncliffe Terr Ferncliffe Rd Rosecliffe Terr Rosecliffe Mt Westover Ave Westover View Westover Mt Grosmont Rd Grosmont Terr Grosmont Pl Hayleigh Mt		300		30/05/2007
Leeds		Calverley		Frazer Rd Carr Wood Way Carr Hill Dr Carr Hill Gr St Stephen's Rd Carr Wood Gardens Carr Hill Dr Carr Hill Rise Carr Wood Cl Carr Hill Ave Carr Hill Rd Carr Hill Nook		330		13/08/2007
Leeds		Chapel Allerton		Potternewton Heights Potternewton Ct		156		07/07/2006
Leeds		Chapeltown		Button Hill		58		14/07/2006
Leeds		Crossgates		Kennerleigh Dr Kennerleigh Garth Kennerleigh Gr Kennerleigh Walk Kennerleigh Glen Kennerleigh Rise Kennerleigh Cres Kingswear Cl		314		08/01/2007
Leeds		Halton		Jean Ave Alan Cr Newsam Ct Plantation Ave Temple Cl Temple Ave Temple Rise New Templegate		304		08/01/2007
Leeds		Pudsey		Claremont Claremont Gr Crimbles Pl Crimbles Ct Crimbles Ter		180		09/06/2006
Leeds		Wetherby		Durrant Cl Parsons Gr		54		08/12/2007
Leeds		Wetherby		Hallfield Ln Freeman's Way Montague Rd Syke Rd Ceres Rd Gunter Rd		230		23/02/2007
Leeds		Wortley		Blue Hill Lane Blue Hill Grange Blue Hill Crescent		205		27/06/2007

To make a consumer complaint contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or click here and use the online form.