South Lanarkshire Council’s Consumer and Trading Standards is trialling a ‘cold calling control area’ at Bosfield Place, East Mains, Kilbride.

Recently, the area has seen an increase in a number of uninvited visits from workmen and sales people as well as telephone scammers.

Notices have been erected at the entrance to the sheltered housing complex, warning doorstep traders that they will be reported to Police and Trading Standards.

The council’s head of Fleet and Environment, Shirley Clelland, said: “Together with our police colleagues we have met with residents at Bosfield Gardens, and in other sheltered housing complexes across the authority, to offer advice on a range of issues from doorstep crime and scams, to personal safety.

“Whilst we were able to take on board concerns and offer reassurance, what came across to us loud and clear was that residents would like to deter unsolicited visits altogether.

“So, working closely with the sheltered housing team, we have devised this new strategy to send a message to cold callers that we are watching and will take action if they ignore the warnings.”

The project will be monitored and evaluated, with positive results meaning it could be rolled out to other sheltered housing areas later in the year.