The zone is intended to reduce incidents of doorstep crime and prevent rogue traders such as rogue workmen, bogus officials, distraction burglars and scam charity collectors from calling at houses in the area.
No cold calling signs are being placed on lamp posts and each household is being given a window sticker and advice booklet directing residents on how to deal with unwanted callers. The aim of the zone is to discourage doorstep criminals and allow the police and Trading Standards to tackle them where possible. Many incidents of Doorstep crime go unreported and it is hoped that the police and Citizens advice Consumer Service number displayed on the lamp post signs will encourage residents to report any incidents.
Residents in Bevan Crescent were consulted regarding the zone and were overwhelmingly in favour of it being set up; many indicating that they had received multiple visits from unwanted callers in the past and were concerned about doorstep criminals.
Councillor Hadyn Trollope, Executive Member for Environment commented:
“It is well known that rogue traders target the elderly and vulnerable. Rogue traders and distraction burglars are often inter related passing over information regarding potential targets. In an effort to increase the effectiveness in combating doorstep crime Blaenau Gwent Council’s Trading Standards section and Gwent Police are introducing the zone in Bevan Crescent which will provide additional protection for residents in the area”.