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Keith Emsall, executive member for community safety and culture, said: “These zones are important for raising awareness of this type of activity. Residents should know their rights and feel confident enough to say 'no' when they do not want to purchase goods or services.
"We have had considerable success over the past 18 months in getting rogue traders prosecuted through the courts, and will keep up the pressure on people who mis-use these tactics.
"There are, of course, legitimate businesses who cold call. But because that practice has been hijacked by distraction burglars and other criminals who prey on vulnerable residents, it has become an unwanted menace and local people have left us in no doubt that they don’t want cold callers at all.”
The first No Cold Calling Area in the county was set up in Potters Bar in October last year. Similar Areas have also been set up in Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Carpenders Park, Hitchin and most recently in Elstree Park, Borehamwood. These have already proved to be very successful in deterring doorstep operators in those areas.
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