The Trading Standards Team is leading the way in developing the borough's first ever Bogus Caller Partnership.  The Redbridge Bogus Caller Partnership is made up of:

• Local Authority services
• the Police
• Safer Neighbourhood Teams
• Fire Service
• other private and voluntary sectors

Many traders who call at your door are honest and genuine. However, some are not and can be extremely persuasive. Examples of bad practices associated with cold calling and doorstep selling include pressure selling, unfair contracts, overpriced or substandard home maintenance or improvements, phoney consumer surveys and bogus charity collection.

The Partnership is improving the quality of life for Redbridge residents by empowering them to feel safer in their own homes through community initiatives such as:

• Doorstep Calling Restricted Zones  - where the zones have been put in place, the fear of crime from cold calling has been significantly reduced
• The Trading Standards REACT team – working with  Consumer Direct – have stopped over £20,000 reaching the hands of criminals and prevented Redbridge residents becoming victims
• Empowering people in their own homes to say 'no' to these doorstep criminals - voluntary drama groups are raising the awareness of the dangers of bogus callers, reiterating the message on the leaflets they have produced 'no appointment = no entry' (PDF 4.3Mb).

A leaflet has also been devised (PDF 464KB), which gives residents a number to call to obtain details of reputable traders who have met standards and who will not seek to con their customers.

If anyone would like further information regarding any of the above issues, please contact Redbridge Contact Centre on telephone 020 8708 5716, or e-mail public.protection@redbridge.gov.uk.

For anyone wanting a Doorstep Calling Retricted Zone in their area, please contact either the Trading Standards Team on the above or call your local Safer Neighbourhood Team Officers. For more consumer advice please e-mail or call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.