A CRACKDOWN on rogue traders and unwanted doorstep sellers was launched in Lowestoft yesterday (Monday).Three streets officially became the town's first 'no cold calling' zones on Monday in a bid to help householders say no to uninvited doorstep sellers and reduce the risk of distraction burglaries.

A CRACKDOWN on rogue traders and unwanted doorstep sellers was launched in Lowestoft yesterday (Monday).

Three streets officially became the town's first 'no cold calling' zones on Monday in a bid to help householders say no to uninvited doorstep sellers and reduce the risk of distraction burglaries.

Officers from Suffolk trading standards joined local police to talk to residents in Kirkley Park Road, Avondale Road and Haward Street yesterday as part of the scheme which aims to empower householders, particularly elderly and vulnerable people, to stop traders selling at their doors.

The three residential streets are now marked with 'no cold calling' signs and homeowners have been given stickers to display in their windows to show that they do not want people to call at the door.

Peter Korwin, Suffolk's principal trading standards officer, said: 'After consulting with residents, we found that many people wanted help to stop cold callers coming to their door so we decided to set up our first zones in Lowestoft.

'As well as being recognised and respected by most traders, the 'no cold calling' zones give residents the confidence to say no to callers and hopefully makes them feel safer in their homes. People can put stickers in their windows to make traders aware that they will not be invited into the house.

'While the zones are not enforceable by law, we have found them to be very successful in other areas and they show that the council and police are working together to help elderly and vulnerable people.'

The launch in Lowestoft follows successful schemes in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Bury St Edmunds and in Hopton, near Diss, and it is hoped that more zones will be set up elsewhere in north Suffolk in the future.

In order for an area to become a 'no cold calling' zone, it must be home to a number of vulnerable or elderly residents, have previous incidents of doorstep crime and there must be local support.

Anyone who needs free advice about any consumer issue, including doorstep tradespeople, can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

If you live in an area which you would like to be considered as a potential 'no cold calling' zone, contact Suffolk trading standards by emailing enquiries@tradstan.suffolkcc.gov.uk.