JUNCTION OF PEAR TREE LANE AND KILN ROAD DOWN TO AND INCLUDING CAVALIER CLOSE(Also includes Lawrence Place, Northwood Drive and Edgecombe Lane) |
About the No Cold Calling Zone
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Answer |
NO COLD CALLING ZONES This scheme is operated by West Berkshire Council in partnership with Wokingham Borough Council. Tel: West Berkshire: 01635 519930 |
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What is a No Cold Calling |
This is a designated area defined area, usually accompanied by a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, which a crime prevention initiative implemented by the residents themselves. This initiative is actively supported by West Berkshire and Wokingham Trading Standard Service and Thames Valley Police. The aim is to deter unscrupulous cold callers and the potential for door step crime and to empower the residents to say "No" |
What is a Doorstep Crime? |
This is a crime arising from doorstep callers, bogus workmen, high pressure sales people, bogus officials and distraction burglary. Distraction burglary is where a householder is distracted by a door step call whilst an accomplice steals money or posessions. If it now well established that distraction burglaries and rogue doorstep trading are often interlinked A sone can assist in detecting doorstep criminals through residents reporting any suspicious or criminal activity. |
Is it Illegal for cold callers to call within a No Cold Calling Zone? | Cold calling is in itself not illegal and a No Cold Calling Zone does not ban cold calling. The zone is aimed at deterring unscrupulous cold callers. Cold calling may become illegal under current consumer protection legislation if the householder informs the caller that they do not wish to do business in this way but the caller fails to leave or returns. |
How is a No Cold Calling Zone set up |
Any proposed zone requires a co-ordinator to distribute relevant information packs provided by West Berkshire and Woking Trading Standards Service. Each information pack contains a letter informing the householder that their area is being considered for the zone, a leaflet on Doorstep Sales and a "No Cold Callers" stick. If 2/3rds of the householders are in favour then the zone will be implemented. Following a successful No Cold Calling Zone consultation Trading Standards will erect metal street signs at the entry and exit point of the zone to effectively notify would-be cold callers of the residents' wish not be to be called on. |
Are there any exemptions to who can call within the zone? |
The following are not intended to be excluded from a No Cold Calling zone Regular Rounds people - eg Milkman, Postman Companies with pre-booked appointments (eg Utility Companies) Religious Groups Genuine Charity Collectors Electoral Candidates Catalogue Distributors |
What can I do if I have an unwanted caller? |
A householder is under no obligation to open the door to anyone. West Berkshire & Wokingham Trading Standards Service advise residents to politely inform the caller that they are not interesting in conducting business in this manner and to not return. If the unwanted caller fails to leave, the resident can call Trading Standards, using the telephone number on the sign. Trading Standars d will attend it if it appropriate and they have the resources to do so. However if the the resident feels threatened then contact the Police on the 999 number |
What about callers who claim to be collecting for Charity? | If you are in any doubt that a charity may be bogus, ask the caller for their Registered Charity Number and check to see if they are registered with the Charity Commission as www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission |
UNSOLICITED TELEPHONE CALLS | |
Can I stop unsolicited telephone calls? |
To reduce the number of unwanted sales telephone calls you can register at the Telephone Preference Service website at http://www.tpsonline.org.uk or you can telephone 0845 070 0707 This service can help to reduce the number of calls, although it is not 100% effective and you may still receive some calls - but the majority should cease. |
TrueCall38 - the ultimate deterrent to unwanted calls resulting from filling in forms |
This is a completely FREE deterrent to unwanted calls. If you are required to fill in forms with your telephone number and you know that company really does not need to know it - Protect your phone number by entering 0333 88 88 88 88 (thats 0 followed by three 3s and eight 8s) as your phone number. Cold callers will then hear a short recorded message:- "trueCall38 is handling my calls. I prefer not to be contacted by phone, so please contact me via my email address. Goodbye!" Remember some companys actually do need your phone number - maybe they need your mobile to send you a text as part of their validation process, or it's a flight booking service, or a form at a hospital... In these cases it may be better to give them your real number. |
UNSOLICITED MAIL | |
Can I stop unsolicited mail? |
To limit the amount of unsolicited mail, you can visit the Mail Preference Service at http://mpsonline.org.uk or telephone 0207 291 3310 This service can help to reduce the amount of junk mail although it is not 100% effective and you may still receive some unwanted mail - but the majority should cease. |