No Cold-Calling in The Crofts
Although The Crofts has been a member of Neighbourhood Watch for many years, this has done nothing to prevent a whole range of cold callers visiting our homes – usually at the most inconvenient times!
There was the window cleaner who called on a Sunday afternoon; the salesmen who wanted to replace our front doors; and the unemployed artist who wanted to sell his watercolours, just as families were sitting down to tea. Does this sound familiar?
So, we have decided to become a No Cold Calling Zone. This is an initiative that has been set up by Hampshire County Council Trading Standards; and it has the support of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Although most cold callers are legitimate, there is a minority who commit doorstep crime, such as distraction burglars, bogus callers, rogue traders and high pressure salespeople.
How did we go about it?
There is a lot of helpful information, including leaflets, available from Hampshire County Council and we made full use of these. A No Cold Calling Zone (NCCZ) can only be set up after consultation with all households, with the majority (66%) being in agreement. There are 75 houses in The Crofts. Initially, we distributed an explanatory leaflet to every household. This had a tear-off portion and respondents were asked to say if they agreed with the proposal, disagreed with it or had no strong opinion. By the closing date, we had not reached the 66% figure, so members of the Residents Association went from door-to-door to get signatures on a control sheet provided by HCC. Without exception, everyone visited wanted to see the NCCZ established. In the end, there were 65 (out of 75) households in agreement with the proposal, which represented 86% of all households. We concluded that the remaining few were probably on holiday, since the consultation period took place during the Easter holidays.
We then had to submit the tear-off cards and the signed sheets to HCC – and approval to designate The Crofts as a No Cold Calling Zone was given within days. We were then able to deliver special packs to each home which contained additional information and included door/window stickers that can be used to deter would be callers. We are now in the process of purchasing external signs which will be erected at the entrance to The Crofts, showing clearly that the area has been designated a No Cold Calling Zone.
Next steps
Whilst we cannot ban cold calling completely, or create an exclusion zone, we believe that this initiative will be effective in deterring unscrupulous cold callers from approaching residents in The Crofts. It will also give our residents the confidence to say “No” to any cold callers who have ignored the stickers or the signs.
More information
We believe that we are the first neighbourhood in Hatch Warren and Beggarwood that has taken advantage of this initiative to deter cold callers. We would be happy to share our experience with anyone who is seeking to have their road designated as a No Cold Calling Zone.
Please contact Mike Deare (Chairman of The Crofts Residents Association) in the first instance on 01256 462344. Full details of the process and further information on NCCZ can be found at: www.hants.gov.uk/nccz.
