First 'no cold calling' zone in West Berkshire

A neighbourhood in Newbury will be the first in West Berkshire to adopt the scheme to stop doorstep traders

AN AREA of Newbury is to become the first 'no cold calling' zone under a new scheme devised by Thames Valley Police, West Berkshire Trading Standards and the local neighbourhood watch group.

The zone will be enforced from today (Friday) following a local campaign to stop cold callers from knocking on the doors, in a bid to put an end to aggressive traders preying on vulnerable homeowners.

Signs are being put up in Glendale Avenue, Cheviot Close and Holbourne Close in Wash Common today warning doorstep traders they are not welcome.

Resident will also be provided with stickers warning traders that they will be prosecuted if they cold call.

The chairwoman of Newbury and Thatcham Neighbourhood Watch, Angela Money, said: "In our area we have a lot of vulnerable people and we are continuously pestered by cold callers from gas supplier to alarm companies and hedge cutters. These traders can become very aggressive in trying to sell their products and services."

The zone is the first of its kind in West Berkshire and the second in Berkshire.