Norfolk Trading Standards launches 300th No Cold-Calling Zone

Norfolk Trading Standards has launched the 300th No-Cold-Calling Zone (NCCZ) in the county. The zone covers Royalist Drive, Draggon Close, and Musketeer Way in Thorpe St Andrew and takes effect from today.

NCCZs are designated areas where residents have declared that they will not accept traders calling at their homes without an appointment, and act as a deterrent to traders and bogus callers who don't want to be recognised as working in a particular area.

The zones are particularly useful and effective in areas where residents might be at a higher risk from cold calling, due to their age or vulnerability, and creating a NCCZ is an effective way of helping to protect them.

Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, cabinet member for communities and partnerships, said: "We are always looking for ways to keep our most vulnerable residents safe, and No Cold Calling Zones are a great way of doing that - and they are a provable success.

"In a recent survey of people living in an NCCZ over 97% said that the level of cold callers had reduced since the zone had been introduced. Our Trading Standards department works hard every day to crack down on unscrupulous traders, and the signs around the zones let those traders know that they aren't welcome."

Cllr Ian Mackie, county councillor for Thorpe St Andrew, said; "I am delighted to see another large area gain no cold calling status, the 300th in Norfolk. This is a clear signal that residents do not wish to be approached in their homes, if they wished for services then they would contact a provider. The zone will hopefully give extra reassurance to many single, vulnerable, and older residents.

"There have been instances of pressured selling and that's unacceptable in an area which takes community safety seriously. I would like to thank all those residents that took part in the consultation."

Norfolk Trading Standards follows up all reports of cold calling in an NCCZ, which may involve finding out why a trader has ignored the zone but may include more formal action. While there is no law preventing cold calling, consumers have 14 days to cancel contracts signed at your home or place of work which have a value of more than £42. Traders who don't issue a cancellation notice allowing the 14-day cooling off period are breaking the law and Trading Standards may be able to take enforcement action.

If you need advice about your rights as a consumer you can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133, and more information about No-Cold-Calling zones can be found here: www.norfolk.gov.uk/nocoldcallingzones and more information about Norfolk's Trusted Trader scheme, which helps residents find trusted local tradespeople, is available here: www.norfolk.gov.uk/trustedtrader