No Cold Calling Zone being set up in Keynsham road

A No Cold Calling Zone is being officially launched in Keynsham on Thursday to protect people, particularly the elderly, from doorstep tradespeople.

The new zone at Old Vicarage Green is a partnership between the police's Community Safety Team and Bath & North East Somerset Council's Trading Standards department.

A zone is also being launched on Thursday in Hantone Hill in Bathampton. The two are the first to operate in private residential roads and take the number of No Cold Calling Zone in B&NES to 12.

Signs have already gone up in Old Vicarage Green and Hantone Hill and leaflets and door stickers have been distributed to residents, explaining how the zones work.

Beth Shire, of the Community Safety Team, said: "The aim is to send out a clear message that uninvited callers are not welcome. It gives residents the confidence to say 'No' which should reduce the chances of people falling victim to distraction burglaries and bogus callers.

"Both communities have strong Neighbourhood Watch groups and both areas had been subject to these types of crimes in the past."

The police have this crime prevention advice for people to follow:

•    If someone knocks on your door, you do not have to open it. Look through a window or spy hole first and if you do not recognise the caller, or are not expecting anyone, ask yourself, do you really want to open your door.

•   If you are being pressurised to have some work done quickly or for what appears to be a 'bargain,' alarm bells should be ringing.

•    Never buy (or sell) goods or services on the doorstep from or to someone you do not know or is not recommended to you.

•    Know your rights. If you do decide to allow a salesperson to enter your home following a telesales appointment, you have numerous rights. These include the right to ask someone to leave your home at any time. They must do so immediately.