In November 2006 two pilot 'No Cold Calling Zones' were launched by the Community Safety team in Services for Communities, to safeguard vulnerable members of the community from crime associated with doorstep selling.

The results of this pilot have been overwhelmingly positive and it was found that No Cold Calling Zones do significantly reduce the level of cold calling and that 98% of households within the pilot areas would like the scheme to continue.

Residents in areas of Cramond and Joppa signed up to the scheme, which combats the menace of bogus callers, high pressure sales people and burglars who operate by distracting householders on the doorstep.

The particular zones were agreed following extensive consultation between the residents and local councillors which identified problems in these areas in relation to cold calling.

Following the decision to adopt No Cold Calling Zone status, officers from the Council's Trading Standards service, teamed up with with police and community groups to visit each resident in the area and offer them advice on home security and what to do if an unwanted trader calls.

In addition, each resident was given a pack including stickers indicating their refusal to buy goods from doorstep sellers and signs also went up in the participating area, indicating that it had chosen to have No Cold Calling Zone status.

Following the pilot the Community Police Officer from the Joppa area has reported that there had been an increase for referrals for other matters, such as anti-social behaviour, from residents within the zone.

Residents have also commented that they now feel safer and more secure since the zone has been set up. Police crime statistics show that there were no incidents of related crime reported during the period of the pilot.

Following the successful the three-month pilot, the No Cold Calling Zones programme could now be rolled out across the city.

The selection of each new zone would be based on intelligence and known vulnerability of residents who have suffered from a high rate of 'cold calling' and possible doorstep crime.

In addition, it has been proposed that support be offered to groups of residents who are interested in the scheme but may not essentially fall into the high risk areas.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, Environment Leader said: "It is extremely encouraging to see the success of the pilot scheme, and we are now looking to roll this initiative out across the city.

This will hopefully mean that many more people, especially those in vulnerable situations, will feel more secure in their own homes.

Unfortunately we know there are unscrupulous characters out there who will take advantage of others.

This formation of these zones has proven to be an effective way of preventing problems associated with cold calling such as high pressure selling and bogus workmen."

A police spokesman said: "Any initiative which can deter bogus callers and keep people from falling victims to these callous criminals is to welcomed and these 'No Cold Calling' areas are a great benefit.

Lothian and Borders Police have a long established investigation team, Operation Alert, who deal with bogus caller crime on a daily basis and are delighted to be working in partnership with Trading Standards within Services for Communities.

Victims of this type of crime are quite often traumatised by the events and are left fearful of every caller to their home."