Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Hebden Bridge Cold Calling Control Zone revitalised by the Dodnaze Community

The community of Dodnaze Estate, Hebden Bridge united in the fight to ensure their area stayed free from unwanted cold callers last week, six years after the zone, the first in Calderdale, was launched.

Cold Calling Control Zones are a tool which can be used to prevent incidents of doorstep crime, raise awareness of the activities of rogue traders who target vulnerable people, and give residents the confidence to say no to uninvited callers as a community. The zones have proved their value by helping to reduce levels and fear of crime, and have been hailed a huge success nationally. Supported by Trading Standards and the Police, there are now over 130 zones throughout West Yorkshire, with more on the cards.

Resident Jo Giles, Glenda Gibson and Josie McCarty of the Dodnaze Community Association say No to Cold Callers, with the support of PCSOs Judith Wood and George Serban, and Calderdale Community Wardens Zoe Davis, Simon Bokowiec, and Neighbourhood Co-ordinator Jae Campbell.

It is important that Zones that have been established a number of years are still seen as being active and relevant. The success of such Zones is dependent upon the residents continuing to stand up to Cold Callers and reporting their activity to Trading Standards so action can be taken.

Over time signs become lost or damaged, residents move away or forget about the zone and some businesses see this as an excuse to try to move back into areas where zones are still live. As a message to these, and in response to concerns from residents, the Dodnaze Community Association obtained funding from the Community Foundation For Calderdale to relaunch the zone as a reminder that, even if a sign gets tatty, the community are not going to accept such an invasion of their streets.

Passionate residents and members of the Dodnaze Community Association, supported by the Calderdale Council’s Community Wardens, the local Neighbourhood Policing Team and West Yorkshire Trading Standards, took to the streets to deliver new leaflets and window stickers to each home in the zone, and to erect signs throughout the estate as a clear message to traders to stay away. Residents in the zone are asked to put up their stickers, spread the word, say no to Cold Callers and to report any unwanted sales people to the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 040506 who will pass the information to Trading Standards who will investigate.

Councillor Jayne Booth, of the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Committee, said ”The success of these zones can be largely put down to the involvement and support of the communities where the zones exist. Taking ownership of such initiatives, as the residents of Dodnaze have, empowers communities and provides them with the confidence to take action and report incidents of this nature”.

For further information on Cold Calling Control Zones please visit Doorstep crime webpage or telephone the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06