Residents in north-west Norfolk are being encouraged to take direct action to avoid falling victim to door-step conmen.

Over the coming weeks, the police, borough council and Norfolk Trading Standards will be promoting the introduction of No Cold Calling Zones in areas vulnerable to bogus callers, distraction burglars and rogue traders.

No Cold Calling Zones are designated areas where residents have collectively agreed they do not want people knocking un-invited at their doors.

The scheme sees high visibility signage coupled with window stickers in the residential area and local residents are advised on the full range of tactics to use should someone knock at the door.

The matter was discussed and agreed as a priority at the Hunstanton and Burnham Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel held last night at Hunstanton Town Hall.

Hunstanton Sgt Rob Curl said: “Local agencies and parish councils are very keen to work with Norfolk Trading Standards to see more No Cold Calling Zones in the area.

“Schemes elsewhere in the county have proved very effective at deterring cold calling and also at making residents feel safer in their own homes.”

Bogus callers and distraction burglars are thieves who make up stories to gain access to people’s homes. They may pose as an official for a utility company or pretend they have lost something.

Rogue traders are people who pretend to be legitimate tradesmen offering building, gardening or landscaping services, but will bully, intimidate or manipulate their victim into paying for work they don’t need or is substandard or does not get carried out at all.

In all cases, householders are advised to never let strangers into their homes and for others to keep an eye on elderly or otherwise vulnerable neighbours, who can be targeted.

More information on the No Cold Calling Zones will be publicised in due course.

At the community meeting, police, borough council and members of the local community agreed to make the following issues priorities for the next eight weeks:

· Promoting No Cold Calling Zones.

· General anti-social behaviour in Hunstanton

The meeting heard that agencies had worked together over the course of the summer to tackle the previous priorities of anti-social behaviour in the town, promoting Home Watch and safe driving.

During Hunstanton Tennis Week held last month, the police presence was enhanced with the help of the King’s Lynn SOS Project Safe Haven bus, the partnership CCTV van and with privately paid security staff used on some of the coastal routes.

Visitors also raised the issue of increased nuisance behaviour in Burnham Overy Staithe during Tennis Week and Sgt Curl agreed to review this and take this into account when planning for next year’s event.

Residents from villages across the neighbourhood are invited to come along to the next SNAP meeting to raise any local issues directly with the police and council. The next meeting is due to be held at Hunstanton Town Hall at 6pm on Thursday November 11.