Residents saying 'no' to cold-callers

9:06am Thursday 12th April 2007

NORTH-EAST residents have sounded a resounding "no" to doorstep cold callers.

A survey by Durham County Council's Trading Standards Service has revealed that attitudes have hardened against unwanted callers.

The poll shows that 98 per cent of those surveyed did not want to be disturbed at home - an increase of four per cent on research findings in 2002.

Phillip Holman, the council's head of trading standards, said: "We would encourage residents to think carefully before doing business on the doorstep.

"While problems with changing gas and electricity suppliers can usually be resolved, problems of poor workmanship by itinerant builders can be more of a problem and impossible to resolve when they cannot be traced.

"Research has shown that many instances of distraction burglary, where criminals trick their way into homes to steal cash and other valuables, are linked to people involved in bogus property repairs.

"Householders can do more to protect themselves by using a door chain and checking the identity of callers.''

The survey also found that only about 14 per cent of people ask for identification and even fewer telephone to verify if the callers are genuine.

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