A SIMPLE door sticker could be the key to ending cold caller misery for people across North Ayrshire.
The Council’s Trading Standards team is cracking down on bogus workmen in a fresh initiative being launched across the region. And they hope the door stickers – with the strongly worded message – will soon be displayed on doors across thousands of properties across North Ayrshire. As well as acting as a deterrent, the notice makes it clear that any traders who ignore the message could be reported to the Procurator Fiscal’s Office. They are now available for free from the Council. Councillor Alex Gallagher, Cabinet Member for Economies, said: “Cold callers target some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. “They are cold and calculating and utterly devoid of any morals whatsoever. “A number of our community are isolated and particularly susceptible to this type of crime so we all need to work together to better protect the most vulnerable in our community. “These door stickers are really helpful. They send a message out to the crooks that we are standing up to them. It also shows them that the residents are prepared to do the same. “Not only will they act as a deterrent but, if the cold caller ignore the posters, they could face a visit from the Trading Standards and subsequent action. “No reputable company ignores a sticker that says that the occupier does not conduct business at their door. “Only those with criminal intent will ignore that and knock the door. “ Trading Standards are offering stickers to everyone in North Ayrshire. In return they are asking to be informed of anyone knocking doors in North Ayrshire, particularly builders, landscapers or people offering garden tidy, tree felling, gutters, mono-blocking, power washing, roofing, solar power or disabled adaptations. Anyone wanting to participate in this ground-breaking community initiative can contact 310101 to receive a No Cold Calling Sticker and to sign up to make our community safer.