Canvassers banned from ward

4:00pm Sunday 25th May 2008

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AN area is waging war on cold callers to combat distraction burglaries.

Widnes's Kingsway ward has been made a no cold calling zone' to stop canvassers and doorstep cowboys' targeting residents.

DC Paul Unwin, Cheshire Police's trading standards police liaison officer, said: "People often fall prey to distraction burglars and bogus workmen because they feel embarrassed about asking them to go away.

"This new scheme will alert local residents to the dangers that cold callers can pose and give them some extra ammunition in saying a firm 'no' to those who persist in knocking on their door."

The zone is part of a nationwide scheme to combat the activities of rogue traders and distraction burglars.

Doorstep sellers will now be told they are not welcome to canvass for business in the Kingsway ward after residents complained about the high level of canvassers in the area.

The ward is prominently identified with high visibility signs on street lamps and notices displayed at residents' homes.

Jackie Peck, secretary of Kingsway Residents' Association, added: "Residents are happy to take part in the scheme and hope that it leads to a reduction in the number of cold calls we receive. It is good to know what to say and who to contact if someone does cold call."

For further information contact consumer protection on 0151 906 4864.