Cold Calling Control Zone goes live in Birstall

12/03/2012

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service has joined forces with a range of partners to launch the 51^st Cold Calling Control Zone in West Yorkshire, thanks to funding from the Area Committee and Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing.

 

Birstall Central Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) came up with the idea of implementing a zone due to their concerns for some of the most vulnerable members of their community.  Learning from other successful zones within the district, the TRA were responsible for building partnerships  with a range of organisations to implement the zone.

 

The Birstall Zone will signify the 15^th Zone in Kirklees and the launch will take place at Birstall Community Church on Wednesday 14^th March. Officers from partner organisations which include West Yorkshire Trading Standards, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, Kirklees Community Safety Team, West Yorkshire Police and Kirklees Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations will be on hand to engage with residents and answer any questions or queries that they may have.

 

Each house will receive information packs and window stickers, and officers will be present to explain how the zones work, highlighting the relevant authorities to contact for assistance. Officers will also provide advice on crime prevention issues such as dealing with pushy sales people, spotting a rogue trader and personal safety.

 

In recent years, through the help of West Yorkshire Trading Standards and partner organisations such as the Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Neighbourhood Watch, Area Committees and local Housing Associations, Cold Calling Control Zones have been funded in areas where residents have suffered at the hands of rogue traders, doorstep criminals and unsolicited sales people.

 

The zones have been hailed a huge success nationally and have received a warm welcome from residents. Zones have been shown to reduce overall crime in the areas where they have been launched.

 

Each zone is revisited on an annual basis to ensure it is effective and sustainable. Consultation workshops will be offered to all participating residents providing them with the opportunity to speak with the partners involved, highlight the positive elements and allow for improvements to be made, therefore increasing the effectiveness of the zones.

 

In addition to this, training will also be offered to colleagues and professionals such as PCSO’s, Police Officers, Neighbourhood Wardens and Community Safety Officers who come into regular contact with residents who may be susceptible to these sorts of problems. The training will equip colleagues with the knowledge they need to assist and advise residents who are in need of help and report incidents effectively to the most appropriate organisation. 

 

Graham Hebblethwaite, Chief Officer of West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, said “This initiative is a simple yet effective mechanism in the fight against doorstep criminals and cold callers. The popularity of the zones continues to thrive throughout West Yorkshire, and the feedback from residents ensures that we can continue to make improvements and develop the zones further’. 

 

Councillor Elizabeth Smaje (Birstall & Birkenshaw) said, “The success of these zones can be largely put down to the involvement and support of the communities where the zones exist. Taking ownership of such initiatives empowers communities and provides them with the confidence to take action and report incidents of this nature’. 

 

For further information on Cold Calling Control Zones please visit  http://www.ts.wyjs.org.uk/wyjs-trading-doorstep-crime.asp or call Consumer Direct on 08454 0405060

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