Town to get tough on rogue traders

TOWN Hall bosses at Warrington are to get tough on rogue doorstep traders who prey on vulnerable residents.
But they have thrown out the idea of setting up “no cold-calling zones” across the borough – because cold-calling is not illegal.
Coun Roy Smith, (pictured) executive member for community services, told the executive board: “Cold calling is not illegal. There are legitimate businesses that do it and the council itself does it.
“But it can be used as a smoke screen by rogue traders.”
The issue was raised at the last meeting of the borough council when Coun Brian Maher called for a no cold-calling zone in his Poplars and Hulme ward.
He said there were many vulnerable people in the area who were pestered by doorstep traders, including loan sharks.
Coun Maher said similar zones in other areas had helped solve the problem. All that was involved was notices on lamp posts stating that it was a no cold-calling area.
But Coun Smith said the setting up of such zones could be challenged by legitimate businesses and by ethnic groups, such as travelling people, who could claim racial discrimination.
Even if the zones were established, it would still not be illegal to cold-call in them.
He suggested issuing residents with “no cold-caller” notices they could display in their windows and with literature explaining their rights when dealing with doorstep traders.
Another measure could be to promote the iCAN consumer alert network, which enabled members to use telephones, text messaging and email to spread the word about con men operating in an area.
It was agreed to promote the iCAN network and distribute leaflets explaining residents’ rights, together with notices warning cold-callers they were not wanted which residents could display.
Council leader Ian Marks said: “This is an important topic as there are vulnerable residents out there. We want action sooner rather than later.”