Councillor rapped for cold calling in Nursling (From Daily Echo)

Councillor rapped for cold calling in Nursling

7:00am Thursday 2nd April 2009 in

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THEY were set up to protect the elderly from rogue traders in Hampshire.

But a county councillor has been told off by a resident for door knocking in a no cold calling zone he helped officially launch last year.

Councillor Roy Perry Hampshire’s executive member for community development and external affairs, was canvassing voters around Testlands Avenue, Nursling, in the run-up to county council elections in June.

Cllr Perry, who represents Romsey Extra, told Cabinet members: “This lady asked what the heck was I doing knocking on doors in a no cold calling zone.”

Hampshire Trading Standards together with Hampshire Police, district councils and Neighbourhood Watch schemes has set up 35 no cold calling zones across the county to protect the elderly from doorstep conmen.

Sgns are put up telling cold callers they are not welcome and residents are given window stickers and a phone number to call if they are bothered by unwelcome visitors.

However the crime-busting scheme does not include councillors, MPs, charities or religious groups.

Cllr Perry said he had had “an amicable discussion” with the woman. He said: “I explained there was an exception for locally elected representatives.”