Our Trading Standards Service and Avon and Somerset
Police have congratulated the Beaumont Close Residents Association
on launching their No Uninvited Doorstep Sellers Zone.
Both the council and the police are partners in the scheme.
A sign at the entrance to Beaumont Close in Weston-super-Mare
was unveiled on May 21 by Dave Austin, Chairman of the Residents
Association. The sign notifies traders that the road is a ‘No
Uninvited Doorstep Sellers’ zone and warns that uninvited
salespeople will commit trespass if they enter onto private
property in that street.
The zone co-ordinator can challenge salespeople who trespass
warning them not to do it again. The council’s Trading Standards
Service or the police will consider legal action against traders
who act illegally.
The Trading Standards Service and police will provide support to
the residents association in acting to protect its residents from
not only the nuisance callers but also the more sinister traders
who are involved in doorstep crime.
Cllr Carl Francis-Pester, North Somerset Council’s executive
member for environment, said: "We are working in partnership with
residents, community organisations and the police to improve
community safety. This is an excellent example of such work, which
we hope can be extended to other parts of the community."
PC Steve Burrough from the Crime Reduction Unit at
Weston-super-Mare police station said: "We are pleased to be a
partner in this worthwhile initiative. We would always ask people
to 'Stop, Chain and Check' when answering the door to
callers. Ask unexpected callers for identification; any
genuine callers will not mind waiting outside for a few moments
while a telephone call is made to verify their
credentials.
"We also ask that people check on elderly and vulnerable
neighbours and relatives and remind them of the need to be vigilant
when answering the door to strangers."
For more information contact the Trading Standards Service on
01275 888634 or online at
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/northsomerset/