Cold Calling Control Zones
What is a Cold Calling Control Zone?
Doorstep crime includes all aspects of consumer detriment and crime arising from doorstep callers. This includes rogue workmen, high pressure sales people, bogus officials and distraction burglary, and it is well established that rogue traders and distraction burglary are often inter-related.
In 2002 a national survey conducted by the Trading Standards Institute reported that 96% of people did not want doorstep cold callers and nobody actually welcomed them. 62% of those questioned reported receiving a cold caller in the previous three months.
It is not illegal to make an initial cold call, and a Cold Calling Control Zone has no legal status. However, new legislation has created offences for repeat callers and by working in partnership, such Zones give residents the confidence to say ‘NO’ to individuals calling on them without a prearranged appointment, and gives the clear message that rogue traders and bogus callers are not welcome in the area.
Many bona fide businesses will make life easier for residents by simply popping a catalogue through the door. This avoids any feelings of confrontation on the doorstep and leaves the decision up to the individual as to whether to buy goods etc., from the business concerned.
How does a Cold Calling Control Zone operate?
The Cold Calling Control Zone is very much a partnership initiative between Torfaen County Borough Council, Heddlu Gwent Police and most importantly local residents themselves. The points of entry into the area will be designated by the placing of lamp post signs, and residents can reinforce the message by placing a sticker in a window close to the front door.
Cold Calling Control Zones in Torfaen
In an effort to increase its effectiveness in combatting doorstep crime, Torfaen Trading Standards have introduced Cold Calling Control Zones in the following areas in Torfaen.
Blaenavon Ward
- Forgeside (all streets)
- Garn-yr-Erw (all streets)
- Capel Newydd Avenue and Cefn Eithin Street
- Curwood
- Kennard Crescent
- Avon Road / Brynavon
- Llanover Road, Llanover Estate, Llanover Close, Oakview Court
- Elgam Avenue (Nos 31-144)
Brynwern Ward
- The Circle
- Park Terrace/Nicholas Street (and area)
Coed Eva
- Meyricks
- Tillsland, Stevelee, West Roedin, East Roedin and Offway
- Willins and Tydies
Croesyceiliog North & South Wards
Cwmynyscoy
- Blaendare Road
- Cwmynyscoy Road
- Cwmfarm Lane
- Hillside Drive
- Farm Road
- Greys Road
- Mynydd View
- St Matthews Road
- Dingle Road
Fairwater
- Ty Gwyn Bungalows
- Fairhill
- Fairhill Walk
- Fairwater Close
- Tyn-y-Coed
- St Peters Close
- Windsor Road
- Trevine Path
- Dinas Path
- Steynton Path
- Dale Path
- Pendine Walk
- Llanerch Path
- Picton Walk
- Cheriton Path
- Granston Square
- Neyland Path
- Wiston Path
- Beaufort Close
Greenmeadow
- Pandy (Nos 293-315)
- Picwic Green
Griffithstown and Sebastopol
- Maes-y-celyn and Brynheulog
- Maesderwen and The Moorings
- Stafford Road (Nos 65-117)
- St Mary's Close
- Open Hearth Close
- Elm Grove
- Wern Road, Austin Road and School Crescent
- Glencourt
Hollybush
Llanfrechfa (Upper and Lower)
Llantarnam Ward
- Oakfield (all streets)
- Court Farm (all streets)
- Cory Park (Abbey Fields) (all streets)
Llanyravon North & South Wards
New Inn Ward
- Chester Close
- Lancaster Road, Warwick Close, Monmouth Close and Church Close
- Caroline Road, Blodwen Road, Link Road and Ambrose Way
- Hillcrest, Ambryn Road Trostrey Close, Penylan Close and Cwmsor Close
- Palm Close, Laburnum Drive, Chestnut Close and Hazel Close
- Usk Road (Nos 63 – 109)
- Princes Walk
- Sunlea Crescent
- Coed-y-Cando Road
- Hillcrest Road
- Hand Farm Road
Ponthir
Pentwyn
Pontrhydyrun
- Avondale Road
- Avondale Close
- Avondale Crescent
Pontypool Ward
- Brynwern
- Lower and Upper Park Terrace, John Street, Nicholas Street and Upper Bridge Street
- Victoria Road, Park View, Pen y Graig Terrace, Daisy View and School View
- Ty Newydd, Park Road, St David's Close, Park Gardens, Lower Park Gardens, Churchwood and Churchwood Close
St Dials Ward and Old Cwmbran
- St Dials Road
- Pen-y-Waun Road, Prospect Place, Hill Top Road and Yew Tree Terrace
- Wesley Street, Oak Street, Star Street, Abbey Road, Bellevue Road, Bellevue Close, Broadweir Road, Orchard Place, The Beeches and Wesley Close
Thornhill
Trevethin
- Newman Road
- Upland Drive
- Greenland Road
Two Locks
- Waun Road, Ledbrooke Close, New Chapel Court, Pendoylan Walk, Kenilworth Place, Presteigne Walk, Langstone Court and Nolton Place.
- Coed Glas, Trem Twynbarlwm, Cae Derwen, Fetty Place, Green Acre, Kemys Walk, Cwrt Bleddyn, Glyntirion and Llwyn Celyn.
Upper Cwmbran
- Thornhill Road and Thornhill Close
- Graig Road, Tram Road and Bethel Lane
- Upper Cwmbran Road and Severn View
- The Square
Wainfelin Ward
- Avalon Close
- Wainfelin Road, Wainfelin Avenue and School Lane
- Fowler Street, Jubilee Terrace, Campbell Street
- Helpstone Terrace, Bushy Park and Fairfield Terrace
- St John's Close and St John's Terrace
- Penywain Lane and Llanerch Close
- Rosser Street, Penywain Terrace, Penywain Road and Penywain Street
What happens if uninvited doorstep callers arrive on my doorstep?
Residents should report any uninvited doorstep callers to Torfaen Trading Standards directly on 01633 647274 or by using the 03454 04 05 06 (Citizens Advice Consumer Service – formerly Consumer Direct Wales) number or Heddlu Gwent Police by using the 101 service. In all cases where an uninvited doorstep caller is identified in the Zone, they will be asked formally not to cold call in the area again. To that end a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been agreed by Heddlu Gwent Police and the five Trading Standards Services in the Greater Gwent Area and will be used to provide a rapid response to any reported incident.
Last Modified: 05/12/2018
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