Cardiff Post Article July 2006

My colleague Adrian Robson and I have been contacted by many of our constituents in Rhiwbina regarding bogus callers and door to door beggars.  Although there is no legislation at present to stop people from selling door to door, Cardiff Council has a campaign to prevent doorstep crime (rogue traders and distraction burglaries) where particularly older, vulnerable people are targeted.

 

The Council have provided advice to me to address questions by residents who have concerns.  They have stated that when dealing with callers at the door, householders should ask themselves if they are expecting callers.  If the answer is no, then the householder should use the door chain or intercom to ascertain who is at the door. The message the Doorstep Crime Partnership is sending out is 'If in doubt, keep them out'.  The Council does not recommend anyone to open the door to anyone they are not expecting or know or to do business at the door.

 

If a householder is suspicious at all, for their own safety, they should call the police straight away. All traders who sell door to door are required to have a Peddlers Licence which is issued by police authorities and is valid throughout the UK. The Peddlers licence must be kept on the person and is not transferable.  If you have any questions on this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

 

I am staging a surgery with refreshments on Thursday 24^th August, between 2pm – 4pm at Rhiwbina Library in Pen y Dre.  An officer from Trading Standards will also be in attendance to answer any issues relating to trading standards issues.

 

If I can be of assistance, please contact me on 029 2062 7757, Fax 029 2087 7005, Mobile 079 7001 3332, E-Mail jcowan@cardiff.gov.uk or log on to www.rhiwbinaward.com