No Cold Calling Zones

January 2012

No Cold Calling Zones are developing well across the district with a total of 94 schemes in place to date. Since February 2011 Hampshire County Council Trading Standards have received 17 applications for No Cold Calling Zones from residents and partners. Of these 17 applications, 6 have been launched in Alresford, Denmead, Oliver’s Battery, Kings Worthy (2), and New Alresford 11 are currently out to consultation.

What are they?

No Cold Calling Zones (NCCZ) are an initiative to help combat the problem of doorstep crime. Supported by Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Constabulary, Winchester City Council and partners, NCCZ aim to make residents feel safer in their own homes.

NCCZ do not ban cold callers or create exclusion zones, however they can be effective in deterring unscrupulous cold callers from approaching people living in the zones and giving those residents the confidence to say “No”.

NCCZ can either be set up from local intelligence or a request, but both require the successful completion of a consultation process. This can then lead to the provision of door stickers and signage, for the purpose of labelling the zone and empowering the residents.

It works! NCCZ have proved to be a success across the county. Since the introduction of a zone in their area:

72% of residents felt safer living within a No Cold Calling Zone

74% of residents felt more confident when dealing with cold callers

For more information on how to set up a zone please see the related link.