Sheffield West Safer Neighbourhood Team working in partnership with Sheffield Trading Standards, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and Sheffield Homes are to launch a “No Cold Calling Zone” in the Firshill area.
The initiative will be the largest zone in South Yorkshire and is aimed at tackling doorstep crime, rogue traders, bogus officials and distraction burglaries. The ‘No cold calling zone’ is a warning to criminals who generally prey on the elderly and vulnerable.
The local residents have agreed these zones and the signs will be visibly marked “No Cold Calling Zone”, warning criminals they are not welcome.
Two presentations will be held to launch the scheme at Roe Lane Community Centre, Firshill Crescent, Sheffield on Thursday 14th June 2007 at 2.30pm and at 6pm. Various people from South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield Homes, Trading Standards, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and Age Concern and members of the community along with local Councillors will be present.
The theme of the presentation will be called “Stranger at the Door”. The aim of the presentations is to empower people to say ‘NO’ to doorstep callers and protect themselves at their door. During the presentations various people from the above agencies will act out scenarios. Whilst the presentation is designed to get across a serious message regarding doorstep crime the scenarios are acted out in a light-hearted way allowing the residents to interact and ask questions. The event is guaranteed to be entertaining and informative.
Inspector Jon Ekwubiri from the Burngreave Safer Neighbourhood Team said:
“There are people who target communities and particularly prey on the good nature and honesty of elderly & venerable residents. This scheme will be the largest No Cold Calling Zone in South Yorkshire and will highlight the fact that criminals and bogus callers are not welcome in the area. The launch is designed to provide awareness skills and knowledge to protect you against bogus doorstep callers and allow you to feel safe in your homes.”
Burngreave Councillor, Ibrar Hussain said:
“We feel these zones are really important, as elderly people are particularly vulnerable to people calling at their doors. Local residents have told us they wanted this extra security and we are now rolling these zones out into more areas of the city.”
A survey was carried out in the District area and the findings mirrored those of a national survey carried out by Trading Standards National Association, the Trading Standards Institute, which showed that 96% of consumers did not want doorstep callers.
Residents should be mindful that these callers may be criminals who intend to get into their home using convincing stories, such as come to repair a burst pipe, broken windows or broken down cars and ask to use your telephone!
Home crime issues, can be 100% preventable. And by following a few simple guidelines you could avoid becoming a victim of doorstep crime:
ALWAYS keep your doors locked at all times to prevent people entering your home uninvited.
ALWAYS check the identity of officials you are expecting. Do this by keeping a list of your utility companies the police and local authority switchboards telephone numbers near to your phone and using this list to check if someone is genuine.
NEVER open your door to someone you are not expecting, even if they say it's an emergency. Don't open the door ask them to make an official appointment.
NEVER keep large amounts of money in your home.
NEVER buy anything at your door, or set on a workman at your door, no matter how attractive the offer may be and no matter how sorry you feel for the trader, buying at the door could be more costly.
THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT!
If you would like any further advise or information about No Cold Calling Zones please contact either Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or South Yorkshire Police on 01142 202020 and ask to speak to your local Crime Reduction Officer.
Notes
The partnership initiative involves South Yorkshire Police working in partnership with Sheffield Trading Standards, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Sheffield Homes & Wardens, Age Concern, Neighbourhood Watch and Firshill Tenants and Residents Association.