Salesmen knocking at the door offering their wares and rogue traders touting for business will get the cold shoulder in Cutteslowe, Oxford.

The area has been designated as a no cold calling zone by the Oxford Safer Communities Partnership.

The aim is to crack down on conmen and crime, as well as banish the annoying door knockers from the area.

Road signs will be put up warning salesmen their visits are not wanted and information packs will be distributed to 1,000 homes telling householders what to do and whom to contact if approached.

Window stickers will also be available for residents to display.

Cutteslowe is the second area to introduce the scheme following Wolvercote in September last year.

Richard Webb, of Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards, said: "We know from a number of public surveys that some 98 per cent of householders simply do not want cold callers - honest or otherwise.

"We also know from our work that there are a great many rogues operating on the doorstep, especially in the area of property services.

"The no cold calling zone allows the people of Cutteslowe to send a strong, clear message that cold calling is not welcome."

Jan Robinson, Oxford police crime reduction officer, said: "This is an initiative that has reduced crime in other areas."

Information packs will be delivered by officers from Oxford City Council, Trading Standards, Neighbourhood Watch, the fire service and the police community beat team and crime reduction team.