RESIDENTS of Llanelen have come together as a community to make the village a safer place by raising their own funds to make it a 'No Cold Callers' zone in bid to stop unwanted callers.

The scheme is a partnership between Monmouthshire County Council Trading Standards and Gwent Police but the community of Llanelen identified a need for the scheme and has worked towards the project themselves.

Funding from a several events and donations from a local business man and neighbourhood watch has resulted in the community being able to purchase eight No Cold Callers signs.

Llanelen is the fourth area which has been established in Monmouthshire but it is the first to cover a complete village.

PC Andy Charles of Abergavenny Police Station said, "It has been a privilege to work with the community of Llanelen to see the project come to fruition. They have worked very hard to get the funding for this scheme, with the amount of community spirit shown in the village it bodes well for the No Cold Caller scheme."

The No Cold Callers scheme means that any traders who have not be invited, are not welcome, but the village has clear No Cold Caller signs strategically placed so callers have no excuse.

The signs show telephone numbers for police and MCC trading standards, which residents are encouraged to call if they have any concerns.

Last year, Ysbyty Fields and Croesonen Parc become the first estates in Abergavenny to introduce the scheme.

Experience has shown that where No Cold Calling zones are introduced, the level of distraction burglaries and doorstep crime have significantly reduced.

County councillor, Bryan Jones, Cabinet Member for Community and Environmental Protection said, "Community safety is at the top of MCC's agenda. The council's trading standards departments working with the police, aim to protect citizens from the unwelcome attentions of rouge traders who are often also involved with distraction burglaries.

"Today we see the fruition of the work of all the people in this community in partnership with the police and MCC Trading Standards and wish the scheme every success."

Neighbourhood officer PC Steve Lane said, "It is pleasing to see that Llanelen residents worked together to achieve the introduction of No Cold calling zone.

"The message is clear, doorstep traders are not welcome in this village."