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Loth-an
and Borde Police
By E-Mail
Ms Kezia Dugdale The Scottish Parliament EDINBURGH EH991SP

Date: 15/05/2012

Dear Ms Dugdale DOORSTEP SALES PEOPLE With reference to your letter of 20th March 2012 on the above subject I would wish to reassure you that Lothian and Borders Police treat bogus caller offences and doorstep crime with the utmost seriousness. We are acutely aware of the distress that such activity can cause, particularly to the potentially vulnerable members of the community. In relation to repeat calls by doorstep sales people, I would highlight that the majority of legislation in this area is enforced by Trading Standards with whom we work closely. Whilst many doorstep sales techniques are not unlawful in themselves we recognise that they can be annoying and in some cases alarming to members of the public. In response we provide personal safety advice across our communities, encouraging our officers to check the identity of those individuals engaging in this kind of activity to ensure that rogue traders and bogus callers posing as legitimate business people do not operate with impunity. Public support in tackling criminality and identifying inappropriate behaviour is absolutely essential. At this present time for example we are encouraging communities who we consider to be at risk, or where there is a history of doorstep crime to work with us in setting up 'Cold Calling Control Zones'. Although these zones have no legal basis, they discourage members of the public from dealing with traders 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 Headquarters Fettes Avenue Edinburgh EH4 1RS LP/4 Edinburgh 15 Police Tel: Fax: Textphone: Email: Web: +44(0)1313113131 +44 (Ol131 311 3315 +44 (01313113944 enqui ries@lbp.pnn.police.uk www.lbp.police.uk

SCotland

CRIMESTOPPE

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Loth"an andBord r Police
Page 2

A key aspect of the zones is around asking members of the community to watch out for vulnerable community members and report any suspicious street activity in a similar fashion to UNeighbourhood Watch" schemes. These popular and effective preventative schemes are run and funded by Community Councils or Residents Associations and supported by the Police, Trading Standards and 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 are over 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 control zones in the Midlothian area. I do however understand that our local Safer Communities Team based at Dalkeith and led by Police Inspector Simon Broadhurst are currently exploring the options for such an initiative. I would ask you to encourage any of your constituents who are having issues with these kinds of activities to make contact with their local Community Council and their local Community Police Officer to see if there is an appetite and a need for a zone to be 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 who has expertise in this area should you require any further information. He can be contacted at this address or on 0131 --"""""-

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Yours Sincerely

Superintendent Kevin Murray Safer Communities Department Force Headquarters Fettes Avenue Edinburgh EH41RB

David JR Strang aPM BSc MSc Chie Constable Lothian and Borders Headquarters Fettes Avenue Edinburgh EH4 1RB LP/4 Edinburgh 15 Police
Tel:

Fax: Textphone: Email: Web:

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

SCotland

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