WIREDGOV

Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews has applauded councils who have taken positive steps to protect their communities from cold callers.

The Welsh Government made a commitment in their Programme for Government to extend the coverage of No Cold Caller Zones in Wales. 

Intended to protect vulnerable residents and reduce the number of doorstep crime incidents, the No Cold Caller Zones aim to increase the number of areas in which doorstep callers are not welcome.

They are intended to give local residents and communities the confidence to say "no" to uninvited salespeople or to warn rogue traders and cold-callers they are being watched.

Leighton Andrews said:

"Zones require close partnership working between a number of agencies including the Local Authority, Trading Standards and Police and are a good example of how a collaborative approach across public services can improve the lives of residents.

"When we started this scheme, 38,000 homes were covered by No Cold Caller Zones. 

"In November 2013, Local Authorities were invited to bid for funding to support the creation of No Cold Caller Zones, providing they had already identified this as being required in their area.

"Twelve Authorities responded and we approved funding for all who applied for financial assistance in setting up No Cold Caller Zones. Thanks to this funding a further 15,000 homes have been covered.
 
"Early evidence appears to suggest there have been fewer callers with a reduction in the numbers of reported incidents. While it is too early to draw any firm conclusions from this evidence, residents are reporting they feel safer in their homes and more able to deal with and report cold callers who breach the zones."

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