STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS DISTRICT COUNCIL. Report to Cabinet. 11th September 2007

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1 AGENDA ITEM 9.3 STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS DISTRICT COUNCIL Report to Cabinet 11th September 2007 TITLE: No Cold Calling Zones PORTFOLIO: OFFICER: Communities Corporate Director & Chief Finance Officer WARD: Leek North 1. Recommendations 1.1 That, subject to the support of Staffordshire Trading Standards, Cabinet supports the principle of the introduction of No Cold Calling Zones in Staffordshire Moorlands as a deterrent to doorstep crime and to reduce the fear of crime amongst vulnerable residents. 1.2 That Cabinet supports the introduction of a pilot No Cold Calling Zone in Churnet View in Leek 1.3 That Cabinet supports the identification of and implementation of further No Cold Calling Zones in other appropriate areas of the Staffordshire Moorlands where there is a concentration of vulnerable residents and identifiable risk Reason for Recommendations: No Cold Calling Zones have been successfully used in other parts of the country to reduce the levels of doorstep crime and to reduce the fear of crime, particularly amongst elderly and other vulnerable groups. Door step crime can include distraction burglaries (including those committed by bogus officials) and problems involving bogus workmen who may not deliver the services that have been paid for by residents. There is frequently a link between rogue doorstep traders and distraction burglaries. No cold calling zones can also be used to deter high pressure salespeople and other unwelcome calls to vulnerable people. 2. Executive Summary 2.1 No Cold Calling Zones have been established by over 100 local authorities across the country to help reduce doorstep crime (approximately 1,100 1

2 schemes have been established covering 350,000 households). Door step crime can include distraction burglaries (including those committed by bogus officials) and problems involving bogus workmen who may not deliver the services that have been paid for by residents. There is frequently a link between rogue doorstep traders and distraction burglaries. No cold calling zones can also be used to deter high pressure salespeople and other unwelcome calls to vulnerable people 2.2 Whilst door step crime can impact on anybody in any place, research shows that older people and those living alone are particularly at risk. The population of Staffordshire Moorlands is older than the National and Staffordshire average. By 2012 the number of year olds will increase by 23.7%, the number of year olds will increase by 9.8% and most significantly the number of over 85 year olds increases by 23.8%. In addition, around 19% of the population of the Moorlands is classified as disabled. 2.3 One of the key aims of Staffordshire Moorlands community strategy is to respond to the needs and aspirations of this ageing population. It is recognised that older people generally have a disproportionately high fear of crime and establishing No Cold Calling Zones can help to provide reassurance for local residents. For this reason, it is proposed that the first No Cold Calling Zone should cover 34 bungalows for elderly people in Churnet View on the Haregate Estate, Leek (there were 4 instances of bogus callers on Haregate Estate in March 2007). It is also proposed seek to identify a suitable area in Moorlands East NPU area. 2.4 Establishing a No Cold Calling Zone involves erecting street signs (normally on lamp posts), providing stickers for residents to display on their doors and windows and providing information packs for residents. A sample of the proposed signage is attached at Appendix A. Good practice from other areas suggests that the zones should cover small areas (20 to 40 properties) with clearly defined boundaries. In some areas, the No Cold Calling Zones have been organised around Neighbourhood Watch schemes 2.5 Zones are normally developed as a partnership between Trading Standards, Police, Local Authorities, Community Safety Partnerships and local residents. Resident involvement is crucial to the success of the scheme. It is important the consent of the majority of residents is obtained before establishing the zone and that local residents are educated about how to deal with cold callers and basic crime prevention measures. No Cold Calling Zones can be augmented by fitting, or persuading local residents to fit, door chains, bars or mirrors. It is proposed to include such measures within the proposed pilot scheme at Churnet View 2.6 A commitment from Staffordshire County Council s Trading Standards is awaited and the implementation of the scheme is dependent upon this support. 2

3 3 Options and Risk Assessment 3.1 Option A Members support the introduction of No Cold Calling Zones in those neighbourhoods that contain a high percentage of vulnerable residents, and/or have been previously targeted by bogus callers, and where there is majority public support for establishing such zones (Recommended). 3.2 Option B Members support the introduction of zones but using the wording No doorstep selling (or similar). This may, however, introduce a loophole that can be exploited by callers who are not actually selling but whose approach is nevertheless unwanted by local residents. For reasons of simplicity and clarity, Option A is preferred. As with Option B, it would only be proposed to establish zones in those neighbourhoods that contain a high percentage of vulnerable residents, and/or have been previously targeted by bogus callers, and where there is majority public support for establishing such zones. 3.3 Option C Members reject the usage of street signs but encourage the use of window stickers by residents in targeted areas. This approach is, however, likely to have a reduced impact on the problem of doorstep crime compared to erecting street signage (Not recommended) 3.4 Option D Members reject the introduction of No Cold Calling Zones (Not recommended). 3.5 The introduction of a No Cold Calling Zones in Blackpool has been challenged by the Direct Sellers Association. However, Blackpool designated the entire town as a No Cold Calling Zone. It is not proposed to follow a similar approach in Staffordshire Moorlands but instead to target small neighbourhoods with local residents support for crime prevention purposes. 4. Implications 3

4 4.1 Community Safety The No Cold Calling Zones will hopefully assist in reducing the fear of crime amongst vulnerable groups, prevent distraction burglaries by bogus callers and deter rogue traders. 4.2 Employees The project will be delivered by existing staff members. 4.3 Diversity This report has been prepared in accordance with the Council's Diversity and Equality Policies. 4.4 Financial This is a relatively low cost initiative with the Trading Standards Institute estimating that the average cost of setting up a zone at 300. The cost of introducing the cold calling zones will be met from existing community safety budgets in 2007/ Legal Introducing the No Cold Calling Zones can assist SMDC to meet its obligations under section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (and subsequent amendments) to do all it reasonably can to reduce crime, disorder and substance misuse. 4.6 Sustainability No direct implications. The introduction of the zones could also be considered with the promotion of social well-being in the area as contained within the Local Government Act The introduction of No Cold Calling Zones has been challenged by the Direct Sellers Association in Blackpool. However, Blackpool designated the entire town as a No Cold Calling Zone rather than gaining local residents support to establish zones in small, discrete neighbourhoods. It is this latter approach that we are proposing to adopt in Staffordshire Moorlands. There is no legal requirement to adhere to No Cold Calling Zones but the zones merely signify residents choice not to deal with door-to-door sellers. ANDREW P STOKES Corporate Director & Chief Finance Officer 4

5 Background Papers Location Contact David Smith Community Safety Manager Decision: Reason: Interests Declared: 5

6 5. Background and Introduction 5.1 The Cold Calling Control Zone (CCCZ) initiative was launched by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) at its annual conference in June 2005 as a tool for local authorities, partners and communities to tackle doorstep crime. The initiative was initially referred to as No Cold Calling Zones (NCCZ). 5.2 Door step crime can include distraction burglaries (including those committed by bogus officials) and problems involving bogus workmen who may not deliver the services that have been paid for by residents. There is frequently a link between rogue doorstep traders and distraction burglaries. No cold calling zones can also be used to deter high pressure salespeople and other unwelcome calls to vulnerable people. 5.3 An Office of Fair Trading position paper in 2004 observed that there are no consistent or reliable data on bogus trading cases. The paper estimated that there were around 16,000 cases of bogus trading reported annually to UK trading standards departments but suggested that many cases go unreported. The average value of money paid to bogus traders was well over 2,000 according to the paper. 5.4 Whilst there is no legal obligation for businesses and others to comply with No Cold Calling Zones, the schemes can help to reduce doorstep crime. The original NCCZ was established in Cambridgeshire and was shown to reduce the number of cold callers and also had an apparent effect on reducing crime generally (one scheme in Cambridgeshire reported an 11% reduction in distraction burglaries). Schemes established in the Cramond and Portobello areas of Edinburgh reported a reduction in the level of cold calling and 91% of the households in the areas rated the zones as a success. 5.5 NCCZ have now been established by over 100 local authorities across Great Britain, including: 80 zones in Bedfordshire 66 zones in North Yorkshire 59 zones in Cambridgeshire; and 16 zones in Northamptonshire. 5.6 Approximately 1,100 schemes have been established covering 350,000 households. There are, however, currently no No Cold Calling Zones in Staffordshire. 5.7 The purpose of this report is to consider the potential for the introduction of NCCZ in the Staffordshire Moorlands. 6 Potential for Introduction of NCCZ 6.1 Whilst door step crime can impact on anybody in any place, research shows that older people and those living alone are particularly at risk. The population 6

7 of Staffordshire Moorlands is older than the National and Staffordshire average with an estimated total of 18,500 residents aged 65 or over out of an estimated total of 95,000. By 2012 the number of year olds will increase by 23.7%, the number of year olds will increase by 9.8% and most significantly the number of over 85 year olds increases by 23.8%. In addition, around 19% of the population of the Moorlands is classified as disabled or vulnerable. 6.2One of the key aims of Staffordshire Moorlands community strategy is to respond to the needs and aspirations of this ageing population. It is recognised that older people generally have a disproportionately high fear of crime and establishing No Cold Calling Zones can help to provide reassurance for local residents. For this reason, it is proposed that the first No Cold Calling Zone should cover 34 bungalows for elderly people in Churnet View on the Haregate Estate, Leek (there were 4 instances of bogus callers on Haregate Estate in March 2007). It is also proposed to seek to identify a suitable area in Moorlands East Police NPU area. 7 Process for the Introduction of the No Cold Calling Zones 7.1 Establishing a No Cold Calling Zone involves erecting street signs (normally on lamp posts), providing stickers for residents to display on their doors and windows and providing information packs for residents. Good practice from other areas suggests that the zones should cover small areas (20 to 40 properties) with clearly defined boundaries. In some areas, the No Cold Calling Zones have been organised around Neighbourhood Watch schemes. 7.2Zones are normally developed as a partnership between Trading Standards, Police, Local Authorities, Community Safety Partnerships and local residents. Resident involvement is crucial to the success of the scheme. It is important the consent of the majority of residents is obtained before establishing the zone and that local residents are educated about how to deal with cold callers and basic crime prevention measures. No Cold Calling Zones can be augmented by fitting, or persuading local residents to fit, door chains, bars or mirrors. It is proposed to include such measures within the proposed pilot scheme at Churnet View. 7.3In some areas, residents are given pre-printed cards to hand to doorstep sellers to minimise the likelihood of confrontation. Local residents are also encouraged to report cold callers to the Police, Trading Standards or other agreed agency or individual. Some schemes write to businesses or people to inform them that they made a call in a No Cold Calling Zone and to ask them for future compliance. 7.4The most commonly used signage in designated zones is the simple message, No Cold Calling ; although it has been argued that this could reasonably be interpreted as a wish to stop calls by charities and political canvassers in addition to doorstep sellers and bogus callers. It is, however, possible to ensure that the residents within the zone, and people affected by the zone, 7

8 are made aware that legitimate activity, such as that by political canvassers, is still allowed. Alternative wording includes, No Doorstep Selling and No Uninvited Salespeople (or a combination of the above phrases). A draft of the proposed signage is included at Appendix A. 7.5The introduction of a No Cold Calling Zone in Blackpool has been challenged by the Direct Sellers Association. However, Blackpool chose to designate the entire town as a No Cold Calling Zone. We would only seek to establish schemes in those neighbourhoods that contain a high percentage of vulnerable residents and/or have been previously targeted by bogus callers. We would also support the establishment of zones where requests are made directly by local communities. Following good practice from other areas, we envisage that the zones will typically only contain up to 40 households. In all cases, zones would only be set up where there is majority support (60% or more) for the zones and residents within the zones will be contacted after the zone has been in operation for six-months to establish whether they still support the zone. 7.6 A commitment from Staffordshire County Council s Trading Standards is awaited and the implementation of the scheme is dependent upon this support. 8

9 APPENDIX A Draft No Cold Calling Signage NO COLD CALLING ZONE UNINVITED TRADERS ARE NOT WELCOME HERE Working in partnership with Staffordshire Trading Standards Trading Standards Confidential Hotline