Future of no cold calling zones called into question

Fundraising | Gemma Ware | 1 Oct 2007

The Trading Standards Institute is considering the introduction of cold calling control zones alongside its more stringent No Cold Calling Zone initiative as a half-way house to appease disgruntled doorstop sellers.

Rather than impose a ban on all door-to-door sales, residents in the proposed control zones would be made aware of the dangers of rogue traders and encouraged to think about security. The No Cold Calling Zones could then be introduced in areas with a proven history of crime.

David Broughton, assistant of trading standards at Cambridgeshire County Council and a spokesman for the TSI, said the new zones may also help door-to-door fundraisers who, though not legally prohibited from entering the existing No Cold Calling Zones, felt disinclined to do so. "We would not like to say we don't want any charities going to those zones. It's about trying to reduce instances of rogue trading and doorstep crime."

However, he added that the zones were popular with residents. "People who have No Cold Calling Zones are quite happy with them. It's not as if it's Trading Standards or the police saying we'll put up one of these zones. A lot of these areas are run by the community for the community."

The proposals come out of meetings held by the Office of Fair Trading on the issue. It has been consulting lawyers on whether cold-calling zones are legal and if it has responsibility for them. One issue is the existing zones might fall foul of the European Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, due to come into force in the UK in December.

The PFRA currently advises its members to avoid small zones designed to protect vulnerable people because 'the majority of householders will not be in a position to make a committed gift to charity'.

Directory: The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA)
Who's Who: Gemma Ware

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