A COLD calling crackdown has been launched to give residents the confidence to shut the door on doorstep sellers.

A No Cold Calling Zone has been set up on Birkett Drive in Ulverston after neighbours became worried about elderly residents being targeted by aggressive sellers.

It is the second one in the area since the introduction of the No Cold Calling Zone self-help toolkit.

Local resident Karen Land requested for the street to become a no-go area for cold callers at the latest Ulverston Bringing Communities Together meeting.

Secretary for the group, Pat Appleton, has worked with Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards Service to set up the zone, consulting with all residents on the street, local police and parish councils.

The aim of the zone is to place power in the residents’ hands, giving them the confidence to say no to bogus callers and rogue traders.

The zone is identified by signs at each end of the street where it joins Urswick Road and Mountbarrow Road.

It gives a clear signal to rogue traders that they are visiting an area where they are not welcome and where householders will not buy at the door.

Mrs Appleton said: “Members of the UBCT and Neighbourhood Watch were concerned after recent aggressive cold callers in the area. There are a lot of elderly and vulnerable residents and we do worry. We thought it would be a good idea using the new toolkit to set up a zone.

“We are very pleased that it is going ahead.”

Residents were canvassed for their views and every household that returned forms voted in favour of the zone being set up.

Celia Tibble, county council cabinet member for trading standards, said the council wants to help communities feel safe in their home.

She said “Our officers will work alongside the police to increase the sense of community spirit.

“We ensure the neighbourhood remains safe for residents.”

John Greenbank, Cumbria Trading Standards Manager, said: “These zones are put in place to stop rogue traders ripping off residents and have proved successful across other areas of Cumbria.

“We would encourage any resident or community to engage with us and make use the toolkit where there are problems with cold callers.”