No Cold Calling Zones brought to Cumbernauld 

The new ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ in Roadside, The Village, Cumbernauld, covers 37 bungalows for elderly, disabled and other vulnerable people.  The aim of these zones is to deter cold callers in specific residential areas and to give local residents the confidence to say no to unwanted callers.

Officers have been working with North Lanarkshire Council Trading Standards and a local community group, North Area Crime Prevention Forum, as well as local Elected Members, Councillors Smith and McCulloch, to introduce the No Cold Calling Zone by distributing new signage and crime prevention information packs for local people.

These signs aim to discourage cold callers and highlight to potential callers that they are in an area where cold calling is not welcomed.  Alongside overt road signs, residents receive a pack containing doorstep crime prevention information and window stickers.

Inspector Susan Rae said, “These zones are one of a range of methods we use to tackle bogus callers.  They can help prevent vulnerable people falling victim to bogus callers and rogue traders. 

"The existence of a zone can deter callers in the first place and it gives residents the confidence to refuse to deal with a cold caller and close the door on them.”

We encourage residents, inside and out of the zones, to familiarise themselves with the following advice:

• Never accept work from someone who has cold called at your property.

• Research any company you consider and get more than one quote.

• Never pay for work upfront and where possible don’t pay in cash.

• Always lock your doors, even when you are in your house.

• Always ask for identification. If in doubt, call the company they claim to be from. Genuine callers are never offended by this request.

• Don’t let someone you don’t know into your house.

• If you feel threatened, unsafe or suspicious of a caller contact the police immediately on 999.

 

North Lanarkshire Council Protective Services Manager, Paul Bannister, added: “We welcome this opportunity to work alongside our partners in Police Scotland to reduce the harm caused to consumers by the criminal enterprise of doorstep crime. 

"These financial crimes can also cause lasting harm to the mental health and wellbeing of victims, and Trading Standards will continue to operate a zero tolerance approach to this type of abuse.  And remember that we can all play our part by looking out for family, friends and neighbours who may be targeted by doorstep criminals.”

Any victims of such crimes, or anyone with any concerns can contact Police Scotland via 101.