No Cold Calling Zones
What is Bedford’s No Cold Calling
/ Bogus-Phone Us Initiative?
Meeting the
needs of the community
Service
delivery
Performance
Testimonials from individuals and
community groups
No Cold Calling Zones are contributing to the
reduction of doorstep crime throughout Bedford. No Cold Calling
Zone signs are visible throughout the Borough, deterring unwanted
doorstep callers. This campaign is backed by a Rapid Response Team
of Special Constables working within the Trading Standards
Service.
To report an unwanted doorstep caller,
please call the Bogus Caller Hotline on 08454 04 05
06.
What is Bedford’s No Cold Calling / Bogus-Phone Us
Initiative?
Bedford’s Bogus Caller Task Force is the
product of an agreement between Police and Trading Standards to
combat door step crime. Their aim was to stop bogus traders and
distraction burglars preying on older residents.
They achieved this by
- Acting as a visible deterrent,
- Being a direct point of contact for
residents
- Intercepting criminals.
The implementation of ‘No Cold Calling’
exclusion zones in local communities has contributed to:
- 467 % increase in residents reporting
Bogus Callers
- 56 criminals arrested
- 40 criminals imprisoned
- Prevention of over £80,000 being pocketed
by criminals.
The concept of Special Constables working in
Local Government is being implemented by other leading
authorities.
[back to
top]
Meeting the needs of the community
"Bogus callers target their victims; typically
an 82 year, white woman, living alone."
"Given the opportunity, one in four bogus
traders will also commit a distraction burglary."
Sourced from interviews with convicted
criminals.
Integrated planning
Trading Standards Officers investigate rogue
traders without the authority to detain suspects. However, a Police
Officer can detain, identify individuals and arrest using powers
from a wide range of criminal sanctions.
Bedford Police and Trading Standards
recognised that burglary, criminal trading and fear of crime could
be addressed by deploying police officers in Trading Standards so
that the powers and expertise of both teams could be joined up.
Support from the Deputy Chief Constable,
Police Authority, the UK’s first team of Special Constables joined
Bedford Trading Standards as Enforcement Officers in September
2005.
Their remit was to implement and "police" the
recently introduced No Cold Calling Zones, respond to door step
incidents and work with communities to develop better intelligence
gathering on bogus callers and distraction burglary.
[back to
top]
Service delivery
The Officers were initially managed by Trading
Standards where they shared accommodation and reporting systems
with Trading Standards staff with both sets of officers taking part
in joint operations.
The team’s role in policing No Cold Calling
Zones expanded as more and more communities asked for their
neighbourhood to become part of the project.
Implementation followed consultation with
community groups and agreement about its introduction. Every
household received a booklet explaining home security messages and
how to obtain assistance from the rapid response team. High
visibility signage was erected at zone entry points, displaying the
hotline number and providing a visible warning to itinerant
criminals
By the end of June 2007 over 85% of residents
lived in communities covered by these zones, with over 400 signs
throughout the all of Bedfordshire, repeating the message to
itinerant criminals.
The team’s success has subsequently led to
their role being mainstreamed into a stand alone Community Safety
team led by an ex police inspector.
Other authorities have recognised the impact
of the project and both Trading Standards and Police authorities
have adopted the practices learnt in Bedford.
Further benefits of inter agency working has
included intelligence sharing and the use of the respective skills
base by staff in both organisations; resulting in the detection and
arrest of criminals that would otherwise go undetected.
[back to
top]
Performance
The introduction and effectiveness of ‘No Cold
Calling’ Zones have proved so popular that now over 90% of the
Borough’s population are covered by a zone.
The project’s core attribute is the assurance
for all residents living within a Zone that a Police Officer will
attend on demand to confront doorstep criminals.
- The Special Constables responded to 224
incidents between June 06 and July 07.
- Their interventions saved over £80,000 of
residents’ money that would otherwise be pocketed by
criminals.
- They made 56 arrests leading to the
imprisonment of 40 people, helping to reduce the risk of
crime.
- In addition to the anticipated criminal
roofers and tarmac gangs they have arrested loan sharks, scam DVD
sellers and international counterfeit manufacturers leading to
commendations from magistrates and the Chief Constable.
[back to top]
Testimonials from individuals and community groups
Dr Hulbert, resident
"The Rapid Response Team was fantastic;
they came within 20 minutes and were very helpful and sympathetic.
They seemed to know what we were going through."
Chris Hjelt, Chairman of Goldington
(Bedford) Community Safety Forum
"This zone is very welcome as it will help
protect the elderly and the vulnerable in our area."
Councillor Evans, speaking on behalf
of Henlow Parish Council
"The success of this project in other
towns and villages made it very easy for us to decide that
Henlow should follow suit."
Community Safer Group
"The NCCZ project has been put to the test
with a great result. Again another elderly resident was approached
saying she had won a mobility scooter, the lady contacted Trading
Standards (Special Constables) to be in attendance: was confronted,
left knowing that we will not tolerate this type of
selling".
Trading Standards Today
Magazine
"Bedford’s doorstep
sales campaign scooped a top TSI award."
Rosie Gutteridge Ex-Police
Authority
"Our Bench was particularly impressed by
the efforts of two Special Constables, working for Trading
Standards, whose skills resulted in the arrest of a Chinese illegal
immigrant."
Gillian Parker Chief
Constable
"I am delighted to pass this message on to
you. Well done!"
[back to
top]