7/31/2019 120518 (Bogus) Doorstep Sales People

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and BordePolice

By E-Mail

Ms Kezia DugdaleThe Scottish ParliamentEDINBURGHEH991SP

Dear Ms Dugdale

DOORSTEP SALES PEOPLE

Date: 15/05/2012

With reference to your letter of 20 th March 2012 on the above subject I would wish toreassure you that Lothian and Borders Police treat bogus caller offences and doorstepcrime with the utmost seriousness. We are acutely aware of the distress that suchactivity can cause, particularly to the potentially vulnerable members of thecommunity.

In relation to repeat calls by doorstep sales people, I would highlight that the majorityof legislation in this area is enforced by Trading Standards with whom we workclosely. Whilst many doorstep sales techniques are not unlawful in themselves werecognise that they can be annoying and in some cases alarming to members of thepublic. In response we provide personal safety advice across our communities,encouraging our officers to check the identity of those individuals engaging in this kindof activity to ensure that rogue traders and bogus callers posing as legitimatebusiness people do not operate with impunity.

Public support in tackling criminality and identifying inappropriate behaviour isabsolutely essential. At this present time for example we are encouragingcommunities who we consider to be at risk, or where there is a history of doorstepcrime to work with us in setting up 'Cold Calling Control Zones'. Although thesezones have no legal basis, they discourage members of the public from dealing withtraders on the doorstep and highlight that cold calling is not welcome in the area .

.. .I

David JR Strang aPM BSc MSc Chie Constable

Lothian and Borders PoliceHeadquartersFettes AvenueEdinburgh EH4 1RSLP/4 Edinburgh 15

Tel:Fax:Textphone:Email:Web:

+44(0)1313113131+44 (Ol131 311 3315+44 (01313113944enqui ries@lbp.pnn.police.ukwww.lbp.police.uk

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7/31/2019 120518 (Bogus) Doorstep Sales People

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A key aspect of the zones is around asking members of the community to watch outfor vulnerable community members and report any suspicious street activity in asimilar fashion to UNeighbourhood Watch" schemes.

These popular and effective preventative schemes are run and funded by CommunityCouncils or Residents Associations and supported by the Police, Trading Standardsand local elected representatives. They are a tactic we will consider employing where .there is local demand and an appropriate level of community support. Whilst there areover 30 controlled zones across the Lothian and Borders Police area with a uGood Neighbours" scheme running in East Lothian there are as yet no cold calling controlzones in the Midlothian area. I do however understand that our local SaferCommunities Team based at Dalkeith and led by Police Inspector Simon Broadhurstare currently exploring the options for such an initiative.

I would ask you to encourage any of your constituents who are having issues withthese kinds of activities to make contact with their local Community Council and theirlocal Community Police Officer to see if there is an appetite and a need for a zone tobe set up in their area.

I hope that this reply suitably. answers any questions you may have. Please feel free

to contact me directly on= = = = = = = : : . : . :

or alternatively Sergeant Stuart Neilson whohas expertise in this area should you require any further information. He can becontacted at this address or on 0131 --"""""-

Yours Sincerely

Superintendent Kevin MurraySafer Communities DepartmentForce Headquarters

Fettes AvenueEdinburghEH41RB

David JR Strang aPM BSc MSc Chie Constable

Lothian and Borders PoliceHeadquartersFettes AvenueEdinburgh EH4 1RB

LP/4 Edinburgh 15

Tel:Fax:Textphone:Email:

Web:

+44(0)1313113131+44 (0)131 311 3315+44 (0)1313113944enquiries@lbp.pnn.police.uk

www.lbp.police.uk

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