Parliament is to look at a proposal to ban the cold calling of property repairs, maintenance and improvements.

A private members bill put before Parliament by Andrew Robathan (Blaby, Leicestershire) received its first reading recently.

The Bill is sponsored also by Paul Truswell MP (Pudsey, West Yorkshire) who chairs a steering group on doorstep crime with Trading Standards Institute officers and representatives from other interested organisations.

Andrew Robathan said: “This is an area of criminal activity where vulnerable people, typically old age pensioners, are deceived, often intimidated and threatened by people pretending to be genuine contractors.”

“These cowboy traders often fleece people for extortionate amounts of money for work that is either shoddy or unnecessary in the first place. The police often consider this as a civil contract, but actually this is an instance of people making a living out of threatening vulnerable people, and I think that should be made criminal.”

Mr Truswell has put down an Early Day Motion on cold calling, which has already attracted support from 57 MPs.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted that Andrew Robathan has agreed to adopt this bill which I believe is vital if we are to stop tens of thousands of older and vulnerable householders falling victim to criminal and unscrupulous doorstep callers.”

“The recent Trading Standards Institute report showed that 98% of the public did not want doorstep sales people calling and there is considerable support for a total ban on the criminals and tricksters who offer to lay tarmac drives and carry out shoddy or unnecessary roof repairs.”

Ron Gainsford, Chief Executive of the Trading Standards Institute, said: “The Institute has been working hard for over a year to gain support for this initiative and I am delighted that Andrew and Paul have agreed to take up the cause at Westminster.”

“Day in, day out, Trading Standards Officers throughout the country have to pick up the pieces after these criminals have been at work.”

“Older and vulnerable adults are often persuaded to part with thousands of pounds for shoddy or unnecessary work and in some cases, losing their entire life savings. It's time the balance was redressed and give real powers to Trading Standards Officers and the Police to stop these activities.”

The Bill calls for a total ban on the cold calling of any work to do with the property repairs and maintenance including uninvited double glazing salespeople. Other types of door to door selling will be unaffected.

Salesmen will still be able to visit private houses but only by appointment.

The second reading of the Property Repairs (Prohibition of Cold Calling) Bill is scheduled for 12th March.