Home Watch - Bogus Caller Letter Update

Posted on November 7, 2006

A letter we have been asked to circulate from Trading Standards regarding reinforcing the No Cold Calling message.

Please also take some time to visit the Police fraud web site www.met.police.uk/fraudalert where you will find details of all the internet scams

Trading Standards &
Registration Services
Bedfordshire County Council
County Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP

October 2006

To: All Neighbourhood / Home Watch Co-ordinators

WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE IN A 'NO COLD CALLING ZONE'

As a neighbourhood/home watch co-ordinator, you will be aware of the growing concerns of the incidents involving 'doorstep crime'. This usually involves strangers turning up on residents doorsteps, uninvited and without appointments. Their aims are usually to part residents from either their property or money.

In Bedfordshire we are introducing 'No Cold Calling Zones' (NCCZ’s) throughout the County. The work is being carried out by the nominated multi agency bogus caller taskforce - of which the neighbourhood/home watch residents are key participants. They can provide important information on bogus callers and rogue traders and pass this onto the rapid response team who can provide instant response.

The purpose of creating NCCZ's is to reduce the number of bogus callers, thus reducing the number of distraction burglaries and the number of rogue traders - and the zones are working. We currently have in excess of 85 zones up and running. In the last 12 months throughout Bedfordshire, distraction burglaries have reduced by 27% and domestic burglaries by 21%.

We need your help to make the whole of Bedfordshire a 'No Cold Calling County'. Booklets and door stickers are available free of charge for every resident. If you would like a supply of these to distribute within your watch area, contact us on 01234 228897.

Remember - If They Call On You, Call Us!

Angela Williamson
Trading Standards Enforcement Officer
Bedfordshire County Council

Bogus Calling Hotline
 
O8454 04 05 06

Source: Bedfordshire County Council, County Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, Beds, MK42 9AP tel 01234 363222