Leicestershire has established over 500 No Cold Calling Zones in its fight against doorstep crime.

Where Are These Zones?

The zones cover small neighbourhoods where there have been problems relating to doorstep crime.  Residents may have been targeted by bogus roof repairers, charity collectors, tarmacers, tree surgeons, gardeners or “cheaper” utility suppliers. They have either lost money or felt intimidated into having work carried out or changing utility suppliers.  Zones are easily identified by signs attached to lamp posts.   

Crime Reduced

Leicestershire Trading Standards Officers monitor activity in the zones and are pleased that most reputable businesses respect the residents’ wishes and do not cold call.  Early indications from local crime statistics suggest a marked reduction in both cold calling and doorstep crime.

REMEMBER if you were at home when you agreed to have work carried out (or to buy goods costing over £35.00), you are usually entitled to a period of 7 days in which to cancel the agreement. Be careful not to sign away that right. Written notice of your cancellation rights must be given and if this does not happen, the seller cannot enforce the agreement against you through the courts.   Please see the Consumer Direct website or phone them on 08454 04 05 06 for further advice about your cancellation rights, ways to avoid doorstep crime or to ask for a “no cold callers” door sticker.

The County Council’s Trading Standards Service, works in partnership with Leicestershire Police and Neighbourhood Watch to establish the No Cold Calling Zones, thanks to funding from the East Midlands Efficiency and Improvement Programme.