Calls for Bexhill to become '˜no cold calling' zone

Rother Neighbourhood Watch is working on the initiative which would target unwanted doorstep salesmen and potential scammers.

Ted Kemp, chairman of Rother Neighbourhood Watch, said a ‘no cold calling’ zone exists in Bexhill Old Town but he wanted to extend the scheme to cover the entire town.

He said: “The whole of Bexhill becoming a ‘no cold calling’ zone has been in the talking process for the last few months. Our MP Huw Merriman and the Rother policing team have stated they will be backing us with this project to help stop vulnerable and elderly people in our town being scammed and targeted by unscrupulous people knocking on their doors.

“We are hoping there will be information coming through residents’ doors when everyone receives their council tax that will explain what is happening. We have got so many vulnerable people living in Bexhill. I’ve been chairman of Rother Neighbourhood Watch for almost four years and get to visit people after they have been burgled to offer advice on security, so it’s quite an important issue for Bexhill.

“On a lot of occasions, the cold caller may be sussing the house out for potential burglaries.”

The purpose of ‘no cold calling’ zones is to discourage cold callers from specific residential areas. The zones are visibly identified by overt signs and by each participant displaying a sticker on their door. The zones are designed to discourage rogue traders who, for example, tell householders work needs doing and then charge exorbitant prices or who try to trick their way into the house.

Mr Merriman said: “I am very impressed by the work of the Rother Neighbourhood Watch team and I have put my full support behind the proposal to make Bexhill a “no cold calling’ one.

“Bexhill is home to many elderly and vulnerable residents so this project will play an important part in protecting them from rogue traders and fraudsters.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.bexhillobserver.net/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bexhillobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @BexhillObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Bexhill Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.