Cold-calling should be declared illegal. Just like the annoying telephone calls that sill seem to get through. Such callers are uninvited and unwelcome.

But until there is a general ban, moves going on throughout the district to introduce cold-calling-free zones have to be supported in whatever way possible.

Evidence shows that where such zones have been introduced there has been a greater awareness among residents and the vulnerable get better protection from conmen and opportunistic burglars.

The downside is that there is a cost involved — around £1.50p per household — and in these challenging financial times it might not seem a huge sum but it would soon tot up to cover the whole of a town.

Then there’s the question of enforcement. How is the scheme going to be ‘policed’ in all senses of the word?

While discussions go on about how best to introduce this worthwhile scheme there’s one cost-free way of achieving a level of success — simply by being good neighbours and reporting anything suspicious — even though it may be quite innocent.

It is an issue well worth raising in the run-up to the local elections which are just around the corner.

The question is — Is a politician knocking on your door classed as cold-calling?