NO Cold Caller Zones are being introduced across Cornwall to help protect residents from rogue traders and other doorstep criminals.

Working alongside Cornwall’s Tri-Service Safety Officers and Devon and Cornwall Police, Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards Team has launched its first No Cold Caller Zone in the Penwinnick Parc and Middlegates area of St Agnes.

Signs have been put up and residents have stickers to put on their doors telling cold callers to stay away.

Designed to increase awareness and reporting of doorstep crime, including burglaries, the zones will be patrolled by Cornwall’s Tri-Service Safety Officers, who work collaboratively with Devon and Cornwall Police, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Cold calling in a No Cold Caller zone is considered an aggressive practice under the Digital Markets competitions and Consumer Act 2024. If prosecuted, offenders could be fined or sentenced to up to two years in prison.

In a recent consultation, Penwinnick Parc and Middlegates residents welcomed the scheme. George Gall said he felt “safer”, adding: “The fewer uninvited people looking for opportunities to defraud or steal from us, the better."

Further zones will be rolled out across Cornwall over the coming months in consultation with residents in selected areas.

Cllr Thalia Marrington, Cabinet member with responsibility for Community Safety and Public Health at Cornwall Council, said: “We often receive complaints about cold callers targeting residents and pressuring them into making a purchase or agreeing to have work done.

“We know criminals often target vulnerable residents, especially older people. As well as losing money, victims can be left feeling embarrassed and scared to stay in their own home.

“These cases can be heartbreaking, and we need to do all we can to protect people this type of crime. These zones send a very clear message that cold calling will not be tolerated.”