AM calls for more cold calling protection

North Wales Assembly Member, Mark Isherwood has called for Welsh Government action to ensure more older people in Wales are protected from scams and doorstep crime.

Speaking in Darren Millar AM’s Short Assembly Debate ‘Older People, Scams and Doorstep Crime’, Mr Isherwood highlighted the inconsistent provision and enforcement of no-cold-calling zones across Wales and urged the Welsh Government to address the matter.

 

Mr Isherwood, who in December raised the problem with the First Minister, referre d to Age Cymru’s ‘Scams and Swindles’ campaign which is calling for Welsh Government intervention to tackle the postcode lottery and consequently provide more older people in Wales with protection from criminals who ruthlessly steal from them through scams and swindles.

 

Speaking in the Chamber this week, Mr Isherwood said: “Gwynedd’s zero no-cold-calling zones, although it has one pilot scheme, contrasts with the situation in Monmouthshire, which has zones covering 8,000 houses—21% of the total. In Denbighshire, 12.3% of homes are covered. In Wrexham,  it is 2.41%, and in Flintshire, it is 1.04%. So, there is a huge range of need.

 

“When I recently raised this with the First Minister in the Chamber, I referred to Age Cymru’s call for no-cold-calling zones and for the Welsh Government to intervene to tackle the inconsistent provision and enforcement of these zones across Wales to protect older people. He replied that his programme for government sets out plans to extend no-cold-calling zones.

 

"However, programmes and plans are no substitute for action. If done properly, no-cold-calling zones are cheaper than painting yellow lines on the road and far cheaper than dealing with the consequences of scams and swindles. Therefore, let us tackle the postcode lottery and, perhaps, consider an opt-out scheme across Wales.”