Member survey l public message l cold callers T here is little doubt that the trading standards profession has made a massive impact in the war against doorstep crime. We will never completely stop the rogue element among coldcalling doorstep traders, but we are certainly curtailing it. Trading standards officers (TSOs) across the UK carry out real-time interventions, disrupt criminal activity and put traders before the courts. Financial investigations take away the profits from these terrible crimes and our intelligence networks are getting better and better. Joint working with the police is now routine in many parts of the UK. The doorstep crime message is getting through to the legitimate home maintenance trade sector, too, and the importance of a clear expression that a householder doesnt deal with cold-calling doorstep traders is now reflected in a number of approved trader codes ofpractice. Those overseen by TSI TrustMark, local authorities, the Green Deal and even Checkatrade state that ignoring a clear indication that a householder doesnt deal with uninvited traders, either by use of a sticker or being within an established and clearly identified zone, is a breach of the respective code. Ignoring a householders wishes not to knock has also been found to be a breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 by magistrates, but it hasnt yet been fully tested in a higher court. Nodoubt it will be at some stage. We have had many successes, but one thing that causes me concern is thesometimes inconsistent message thatthe profession gives out to residents. Thequestion remains: what should we beadvising the public to do about cold-callers? I would like to present my own opinion about doorstep crime messaging but, above all, I would like to hear the views of TSI members on the subject. As TSI lead officer for doorstep crime, I am in the habit of looking at advice materials produced by trading standards colleagues, other law enforcement agencies and charities. Whenever I see something that implies the householder should ask for identification, my heart sinks. I usually mutter under my breath something like: How on earth does a vulnerable 85-year-old householder go about checking the identification of the unexpected person standing in front of them? Unfortunately, I have muttered it many times. I can still remember the first No Cold Calling Zone that we set up in Surrey back in 2003 and the positive impact that it had in the Guildford area. The Surrey network of zones Whenever I see that we subsequently built was something that replaced with our Super Sticker implies the initiative in late 2011, and we householder should ask for have distributed more than 100,000 sticker packs since then. identification, my heart sinks The latest feedback shows that 68 per cent of Surrey residents now feel safer in their own homes as a result of displaying a sticker. In Surrey, we take a very firm line with a simple but consistent message. Our advice to residents is that they should never deal with coldcalling doorstep traders. Noquestions and no conversations just say no. Our sticker pack is clear on this point and it is important, in my opinion, to have such a straightforward message. My personal view is that No Cold Calling Zones have had their day; it is hard to deflect criticism from businesses who might ask how they are expected to know that every home in an established zone, really want to be in it. As a result, we are working with legitimate firms to encourage them to join approved trader codes of practice, and the National Trading Standards Board is currently seeking businesses views on the matter. You will also be interested to know that TSI has recently sent a brief to counsel to get an opinion on the legality of zones, and the basic steps that should be taken before establishing one. I accept that there are legitimate businesses that cold call and that do not exploit residents on their doorstep, so the beauty of the sticker initiative is that we give every household the option of making their own property its own mini No Cold Calling Zone. Its the householders choice and not mine. Not long ago, I had an opportunity to amend the latest version of the widely distributed Neighbourhood and Home Watch booklet, Stay Safe, and the say no message is now there, loud and clear, along with the advice that: It isnt rude to ask someone to leave it is your right. I was recently at a Consumer Protection Partnership doorstep crime meeting, representing TSI, and the issue of NationalConsumer Week was being discussed. I realised that there isnt actually a TSI policy in this area and I gave my view, on behalf of members, that the simple message we should give to householders is: Just say no to cold-calling doorstep traders. I already know that a number of colleagues agree with me, and they get equally frustrated at materials that encourage the checking of identification. However, I dont know how much wider support there is for my views, so there isnow an opportunity for you to have yoursay. If you would like to take part, an onlinesurvey has been created for you to make your views known. It can be accessedin the membership area of the trading standards website. You will need to enter your TSI membership number to take part. Credits Published Steve Playle TSI lead officer for 25 November, 2014 To share this page, click on in the toolbar doorstepcrime. TS TODAY TeP CRIM e RS What advice should trading standards give the public about cold callers? Steve Playle wants your views O Just say no? e Me d C RI O P e dOORS T IM R canvassing views ORSTe PC dO l In this feature "