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Residents living in West Shields can get advice on how to avoid falling victim to doorstep callers and rogue traders when their local community area forum meets next week (Thursday 16^th December).

The Council's Trading Standards team will be attending the West Shields Community Area Forum to spread the message about No Cold Calling Zones and rogue traders. They will be showing a DVD to raise awareness of how rogue traders operate and what residents can do to protect themselves.

Councillor Olive Punchion, Forum Chairman, said: "Most people who call round are genuine. But some do arrive unannounced, which can be quite distressing for residents, particularly the elderly or vulnerable, and can make them feel pressured into parting with their cash for services that are unnecessary.

"Our Trading Standards team does a great deal of work to put a stop to this kind of activity. In fact, it has been instrumental in establishing several no cold calling zones in the Borough. The zones aim to discourage uninvited traders and bogus officials from knocking at residents' homes and trying to sell them goods and services without a pre-booked appointment.

"I hope that anyone concerned about this sort of thing will join us for the meeting and take advantage of the advice on offer."

There will also be a presentation from the Council's Anti social Behaviour Unit and South Tyneside Homes' Tenancy Enforcement Team about how they deal with cases of anti social behaviour. Cases range from issues of disorder on estates to nuisance tenants.

Councillor Punchion said: "Anti social behaviour has a negative impact on communities and can seriously affect the quality of life for residents. The Council and its partners have an increasingly important role to play in addressing the issue. I'm keen to hear more about the work being done to stop this small minority of people blighting the lives for others. I'm sure there are lots of people who will find this presentation of interest."

Members of the press and public are welcome to attend the next meeting of the West Shields Community Area Forum, which takes place on Thursday 16^th December, at 10am, in Harton and Westoe Miners' Welfare Ground in Low Lane.

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