Cold Callers to get the Cold Shoulder in Llys Faen
In today’s day and age when an unwelcome visitor comes to the door, it is can be very difficult for residents to gauge whether or not people are genuine. To assist in this decision the residents of Llys Faen have been given a helping hand with the official launch of their very own ‘No Cold Calling Zone’.
Trading Standards, Bridgend Police, Community Safety Partnership and Neighbourhood Watch have taken steps to try to eliminate the problem of cold calling in Llys Faen, Quarella Road by making the residents aware of the problems that the area faces, and creating a controlled zone through the use of street signs and door stickers.
The official launch on Wednesday October 3rd was attended by Deputy Mayor Cleone Westward, Mr Crocombie and Mr Lee Jones Trading Standards, Mr Gwyn Batten Crime prevention officer South Wales Police, and Mr Chris Goacher Assistant director of Public Protection. A representative from consumer direct was also in attendance to give out advice and freebies.
It is a sad truth that many areas in Bridgend are known as cold caller ‘hotspots’, Llys Faen being one of the worst.
Mr Crocombie, head of Trading Standards said that the scheme would hopefully be “rolled out across the Borough and is the start of something bigger”.
Partnership working is integral to the scheme working according to Mr Lee Jones, also from Trading Standards. He believes that information sharing is key to catching the criminals, stating that “this scheme should re-address the balance of power in favour of the residents putting in place a mechanism to respond to calls”.
This joint initiative not only gives the community confidence and direction in closing the door on rogue traders and pushy salesmen, but also shows the cold callers themselves that their behaviour will not be tolerated in the controlled zone, hopefully bringing disruption to their activities.
Crime prevention officers Gwyn Batten and Lisa Matthews from the Safer Bridgend Community Safety Partnership have been visiting the residents of Llys Faen as part of the initiative to offer free home crime prevention checks to over 60’s.
Gwyn and Lisa fitted free safety chains to over 95% of residents’ doors, along with stickers and crime prevention information packs. Valuable time was given simply talking to the residents about the problems cold callers have been causing in the area. Many residents agreed that they found it reassuring to know that they were being looked after and helpful to know that there was somebody at the end of the phone if they should have any worries.
Call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 if you have any concerns or questions on this matter.