Many councils have designated certain areas as ‘Cold Calling Control Zones’ (CCCZs) or ‘No Cold Calling Zones’
CCCZs are initiatives of trading standards officers that are intended to protect residents from bogus doorstep callers and doorstep crime (such as distraction burglaries).
The Trading Standards Institute has published guidelines on how CCCZs should be set up. This guidance includes:
- CCCZs should only be considered when supported by a “real” local need to stop sellers/callers – such as to prevent distraction burglaries, protect the elderly from bogus callers, etc
- The size of a CCCZ should be “relatively small” and “easily defined by its boundaries”, such as a cul-de-sac, small estate or neighbourhood watch area.
- The CCCZ must have the “wholehearted support” of residents. Consultation with residents is the first step.
However CCCZs are not legally enforceable, which means that anyone who does cold call in a CCZ does not commit a criminal offence. The Institute of Fundraising Face-to-Face Activity Code of Fundraising Practice is clear on fundraisers’ responsibilities with respect to CCCZs.
Charity fundraisers must not enter CCCZs that have been properly set up according to the Trading Standards Institute guidance. However, they are at liberty to fundraise within CCCZs that have not been set up according to TSI guidance (for instance, a CCCZ that encompasses an entire town or county) provided that they have:
- Undertaken a reputational risk assessment
- Have a previously-agreed policy on fundraising in CCCZs.
The PFRA is to commence work on mapping CCCZs that are not set up according to TSI guidance.
More details on fundraising in CCCZs can be found in our section on Professional Standards.