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SPUGGIE J · 22-02-2007, 13:19

Now how about this for a little war considering people wanting an extention to cold calling no tolerence zones.

Traders attack ban on cold calling

By Tom Harper, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 1:07am GMT 11/02/2007

Charities and door-to-door sales companies fear that plans to extend a scheme -targeting cold callers will devastate their operations.
In two years, police, councils and community groups have established more than 1,000 "No Cold Calling Zones" (NCCZ), which ban businesses from randomly targeting potential customers at home.
The scheme has reduced "distraction thefts" where rogue traders and thieves -target the old and vulnerable on their doorsteps. Last year, more than 12,000 incidents of "distraction theft", such as thieves posing as meter readers or council officials, were reported. But police believe the true figure may be as high as 130,000.
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Crime rates have plunged in areas with NCCZs. In one part of Luton, Bedfordshire, burglaries have dropped by 80 per cent. In Bedfordshire as a whole, "distraction theft" has dropped by more than a quarter and burglary is down 21 per cent. Similar patterns have emerged in Guildford, Cambridgeshire and West Yorkshire. Hazel Harding, the chairman of the Local Government Association's safer communities board, said: "Most cold callers are nothing more than a nuisance but a small number pose a serious threat, especially to older people. Thanks to the support of councils, police and local people, these areas are now a great deal safer."
A spokesman for Help the Aged said the NCCZs had made a great difference to old people's quality of life."
But critics say the bans unfairly target legitimate businesses. Richard Berry, the director of the Direct Selling Association, said: "We are as keen as anyone to rid the country of rogue traders but our 350,000 members generate £2 billion a year."
Andrea Slater, the president of Avon Cosmetics, which has more than 100,000 door-to-door sales people in the UK, said: "People should be given advice to deal with rogue traders but a blanket ban will threaten our business.

22-02-2007, 13:19	#20
SPUGGIE J God Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Not sure anymore Posts: 9,009 Blog Entries: 10 Liked: 1 times Rep Power: 515	Re: No Canvassers! Now how about this for a little war considering people wanting an extention to cold calling no tolerence zones. Traders attack ban on cold calling By Tom Harper, Sunday Telegraph Last Updated: 1:07am GMT 11/02/2007 Charities and door-to-door sales companies fear that plans to extend a scheme -targeting cold callers will devastate their operations. In two years, police, councils and community groups have established more than 1,000 "No Cold Calling Zones" (NCCZ), which ban businesses from randomly targeting potential customers at home. The scheme has reduced "distraction thefts" where rogue traders and thieves -target the old and vulnerable on their doorsteps. Last year, more than 12,000 incidents of "distraction theft", such as thieves posing as meter readers or council officials, were reported. But police believe the true figure may be as high as 130,000. advertisement Crime rates have plunged in areas with NCCZs. In one part of Luton, Bedfordshire, burglaries have dropped by 80 per cent. In Bedfordshire as a whole, "distraction theft" has dropped by more than a quarter and burglary is down 21 per cent. Similar patterns have emerged in Guildford, Cambridgeshire and West Yorkshire. Hazel Harding, the chairman of the Local Government Association's safer communities board, said: "Most cold callers are nothing more than a nuisance but a small number pose a serious threat, especially to older people. Thanks to the support of councils, police and local people, these areas are now a great deal safer." A spokesman for Help the Aged said the NCCZs had made a great difference to old people's quality of life." But critics say the bans unfairly target legitimate businesses. Richard Berry, the director of the Direct Selling Association, said: "We are as keen as anyone to rid the country of rogue traders but our 350,000 members generate £2 billion a year." Andrea Slater, the president of Avon Cosmetics, which has more than 100,000 door-to-door sales people in the UK, said: "People should be given advice to deal with rogue traders but a blanket ban will threaten our business. __________________ All comments above are nothing to do with here and therefore not the resposibility of the Accrington Web site owners admins or mods. THEY ARE MINE!!!!