Celebration of 200th 'No Calling' Zone
12th January 2009 - Published in the Scarborough Evening News
SCARBOROUGH residents have celebrated the creation of the 200th "no cold-calling" zone in North Yorkshire.
The Wheelhouse Square sheltered complex for the elderly off Dean Road became the latest area to join the fight against rogue traders and helped the campaign reach its latest milestone.

There are 45 zones in the Scarborough area, mainly in areas where vulnerable people live, and the scheme has proved successful in helping to reduce cold-calling and doorstep crime in general.

"No cold-calling" zones particularly target improperly conducted property repairs or gardening maintenance, distraction burglary and obtaining property by deception.

The initiative, initiated by county Cllr Martin Smith, was launched three years ago in Great Ayton after the area was targeted by gangs of bogus roof repairers from the north east.

Cllr Smith said: "There are 45 no cold-calling zones in the Scarborough district and 29 in Scarborough itself, with 15 formed since last April."

He said people living in zones, created by trading standards officers, had noticed a significant drop in the number of uninvited callers.

"Over the last two years there have been 600 doorstep crime complaints made to trading standards by residents, but no-one in the cold calling zones has fallen victim to these conmen. That is a very interesting statistic which highlights the positive impact this scheme has had."

Notices put up in the areas by council council staff include a special hotline number which residents can ring if they are bothered by unwelcome doorstep sellers and high pressure salesmen.

Neighbours also display special stickers and posters in their homes as a reminder to cold callers to keep away.

Anyone who feels their neighbourhood would benefit from being in such a zone should contact North Yorkshire County Council Trading Standards and Regulatory Services on 0845 4040506.

Existing zones in Scarborough are Flower Garth, Woodlands Road, Springhill Close, Seamer Road, Row Brow, Sandybed Lane, Pollard Gardens, Sandybed Lane, Osgodby Hall Road, Osgodby, Stuart Close, Osgodby, Osgodby Close, Osgodby, Fenton Close, Osgodby, Spring Bank, Lisvane Avenue, Evelyn Drive, Fenby Gardens, Knolls Close, Osgodby, Trafalgar Square, St Mary's Lodge and Marias Court, Asquith Avenue, Roseberry Avenue, Milton Avenue, Quarry Mount, Harcourt Avenue, Eden Drive, Atlee Close, Wheelhouse Trust, Dean Road, Green Howards Drive, Lancers Court, Cavalry Court, Signals Court, Forresters Court, Guards Court and Hussars Court.