A NO cold-calling zone has been launched in a bid to deter doorstep rogue traders. The zone will cover the Mill Road and Queens Road area of Royston and is being seen as a move that will reduce risks of elderly residents being fleeced . The scheme has be

A NO cold-calling zone has been launched in a bid to deter doorstep rogue traders.

The zone will cover the Mill Road and Queens Road area of Royston and is being seen as a move that will reduce risks of elderly residents being "fleeced".

The scheme has been set-up in a joint venture between police and Herts Trading Standards.

Police community support officer Sarah Lamb said: "It is making Mill Road and the surrounding areas a safer place to live."

And Sgt Pete Frost, of Royston police, said at the launch on Tuesday morning that the initiative would improve the confidence of residents and raises awareness of cold-calling.

He said police had been keen to introduce such a zone in the area.

There are about another dozen no cold-calling schemes in Herts which have proved to be a success.

Indeed, Cllr Keith Emsall, executive member for community safety, said: "We have had considerable success over the past 18 months in getting rogue traders prosecuted through the courts, and we will keep up the pressure on people who mis-use these tactics."

He described rogue callers as an "unwanted menace" who prey on vulnerable residents.

"These zones are important for raising awareness of this type of activity," said Cllr Emsell. "Residents should know their rights and be confident enough to say 'no' when they do not want to purchase goods or services."

In launching the scheme, Royston's county councillor Doug Drake said both the county council and police had recognised the problems of cold-calling.

And he told a group of residents: "We hope this scheme will be relieving you of some of the problems.

"You don't want to be pestered and have people fleece you of money," he said.

And he stressed to residents: "You have a role to play. You just have to say no."

He said the scheme would "empower" all residents in the area to be able act over cold-calling.

"We have recognised that it was important to do something about this situation, and we are anxious that it works."

Cllr Drake added that the scheme would help residents feel "safe and secure".

The Mill Road and Queens Road area in the past has been a "target" for rogue traders.

The question of introducing a no cold-calling zone was raised last year by members of Royston Town Council.