Set up a No Cold Calling Zone

No Cold Calling Zones help residents discourage unwanted callers and raise awareness of doorstep crime, rogue traders and distraction burglary.

Many communities across the UK have set up No Cold Calling Zones and report feeling safer and more confident when dealing with uninvited callers.

A No Cold Calling Zone does not have legal status. Traders are not breaking the law simply by entering a zone. The scheme helps residents make it clear that uninvited sales visits are not welcome and encourages suspicious activity to be reported.

About No Cold Calling Zones

A No Cold Calling Zone is an area where residents agree that they do not want uninvited salespeople calling at their homes.

Signs are displayed at the entrances to the area and residents can display stickers on their doors or windows.

The scheme helps to:

reduce unwanted cold calling
discourage rogue traders
raise awareness of doorstep crime
help residents feel more confident about saying no to unwanted callers
encourage people to report suspicious activity

Planning your No Cold Calling Zone

Support from local residents and community organisations is essential if a No Cold Calling Zone is to be successful.

Before creating a zone, you should:

discuss the proposal with residents in the area
tell your parish council about your plans
seek support from local community groups where appropriate
identify a local contact who can help monitor signs and provide feedback on how the scheme is working

You must consult households within the proposed area before a zone is created. If most residents support the proposal, you can move on to the next stage.

Setting up your zone

Once residents have agreed to the proposal, you should:

identify the boundaries of the zone
arrange for street signs to be installed
provide door stickers to participating households
choose a launch date

Street signs and door stickers are an important part of the scheme. They help make it clear that uninvited sales visits are not welcome in the area.

Door stickers can be displayed on doors or windows and give residents a simple way to show that they do not wish to receive cold callers.

Getting permission for signs

If signs are placed on highway-maintained land, permission must be obtained before they are installed.

Permission for signage should normally be granted to an organisation that has public liability insurance.

Contact Highways for advice about sign locations and permissions.

Launching your zone

When a launch date has been agreed, residents should be informed that the zone is being introduced.

You may also wish to promote the launch through:

community newsletters and groups
parish councils
local media and social media

Before the launch date, it is good practice to notify relevant partner organisations, including Trading Standards and Cumbria Police.

Registering your zone

Once your No Cold Calling Zone has been created, you should tell Trading Standards.

Send us details of the zone, including the parish area or a map showing the roads within the zone:

Email: [email protected]

This information is used to keep records of No Cold Calling Zones and helps residents, Trading Standards and other organisations check whether an area is covered by a zone.

After your zone is launched

It is good practice to review how the zone is working after it has been operating for several months.

This can help you understand whether residents:

feel safer
receive fewer unwanted callers
continue to support the scheme

You may wish to carry out a survey and share the results with residents and partner organisations.

Reporting cold callers in a No Cold Calling Zone

If an uninvited trader or salesperson visits a No Cold Calling Zone, residents should report the incident. Contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service for advice and reporting.

If appropriate, incidents can also be reported to Cumbria Police by calling 101.

Each report will be considered on a case-by-case basis to decide whether further action is needed.

If an unwanted visit is made by a national company, you may wish to write to the company explaining that the area is a No Cold Calling Zone and that such visits are not welcome.

Existing No Cold Calling Zones

The following No Cold Calling Zones currently operate within Cumberland.

Allerdale:

Castle View and Sandy Grove, Keswick
Evening Hill Drive, Allerdale Grove, Vale Close and Brackenhill, Cockermouth
Brayton Park, Aspatria
The Crofts, Wigton

Carlisle:

Mountain View, Carlisle CA3 9SX
Newfield Grange, North Carlisle - Newfield Park, Newfield Drive, Pinecroft
Houghton, The Green area - 1-27A The Green,1-8 Oakbank, Poplars Barn, Poplars House, West Mains
Lowry Hill (one zone in 2 sections), St Peters Close, 137-159 Lowry Hill Rd, 202-228 Lowry Hill Rd, Crookburn Close, Kirkbeck Close
Belle Vue, Carlisle - Beck Road/Orchard Close, Criffel Road, Beck Close
Buffs Croft and Grahams Croft, Warwick-on-Eden

Copeland: