COLD callers face police action for pestering residents under a scheme being rolled out across Oxfordshire.

Five ‘no cold caller zones’ in Oxford, Grove, Wantage, Abingdon and Adderbury aim to deter uninvited tradespeople from knocking on residents’ doors.

It is now a criminal offence for cold callers to return to a house in the zone if they have been asked to leave.

The first zone launched this week in the Ormond Road area of Wantage after residents voted for it by a huge majority.

Oxfordshire County Council and Thames Valley Police put up street signs at entrance points to the zones and handed out door stickers to advise potential cold callers they are not welcome.

The five areas join 14 others around the county, covering 3,700 homes.

Alison Smith, crime reduction adviser for Wantage, said: “I have been very impressed with the results of ‘no cold caller zones’ in nearby towns such as Didcot, so I’m delighted that the Wantage area has been successful in gaining two new zones.

“The first zone will cover Ormond Road and the roads leading from it where we have had six distraction burglaries over the last few years. We hope that not only will crime be reduced in these areas but that residents will feel they have more protection from rogue traders and cold callers.”

A second scheme will be rolled out in the old part of Grove village in February, followed by Shelley Close, Abingdon, Twyford near Adderbury, and Ferry Road to Weldon Road, Moody Road and William Street in New Marston, Oxford.

Trading standards last year stopped rogue doorstep traders from taking £122,500 from Oxfordshire residents.

At least £511,254 was taken by doorstep conmen in 2009, but last year it fell to £155,608, despite incidents rising from 264 to 366.

Six large energy companies have given a commitment to respect the wishes of people who live in the zones.

Judith Heathcoat, council cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said: “We should not be harassed by people in our own homes, it is totally unacceptable.

“The ‘no cold caller zones’ have been successfully running in areas across Oxfordshire for four years and I am so pleased they are being extended to involve a wider community.”

To report an incident or request information, call trading standards on 0845 0510845.