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Ashton launches No Cold Calling Zone
Rouge traders are about to be shown the door in Ashton as the area prepares for the launch of its No Cold Calling Zone.
From today, the area around Crossway Close and Linkway Avenue will become salesman-free as signs go up warning unwanted callers to stay away.
The project is an attempt to crack down on doorstep conmen, bogus callers and distraction burglars.
Wigan Council's Trading Standards team has worked closely with the police, Age Concern and other agencies to set up the zone where doorstep sellers who call on residents without an appointment will be told they are not welcome.
The area will be prominently identified with high-visibility signs both on the street and on doors and windows. Residents have been told to report anyone selling door-to-door to Trading Standards once the zone is in operation.
In March, the council and its partners launched the borough's first No Cold Calling Zone in Golborne. The Ashton zone has been introduced because of the success of this scheme.
Wigan Council's Cabinet Champion for Neighbourhoods, Coun Keith Cunliffe, said: "Doorstep conmen and bogus callers are big cause for concern in our borough just as they are elsewhere.
"They range from people calling and offering to do DIY work, which ends up being really shoddy, through to crooks posing as officials to get into people's homes and steal their belongings.
"The usual target for this type of criminal is the older and more vulnerable members of the community."
Coun Cunliffe added: "In cases like this clearly prevention is better than cure so we're asking all traders to respect the No Cold Calling Zone."
"We're not trying to obstruct legitimate businesses but legitimate traders will not mind playing by the rules and making an appointment."
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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