Southend Council has backed a campaign to clamp down on dodgy doorstep callers.

The Office of Fair Trading yesterday launched the initiative entitled Your Doorstep - Your Decision. The national campaign aims to help consumers stay in control when they buy goods and services at the door.

The idea follows an Office of Fair Trading report into doorstep selling that referred to the main psychological techniques used by the callers.

Ann Holland, council cabinet member in charge of public protection, said: "The home is a unique setting for a business transaction - salespeople effectively have a captive audience and consumers are more susceptible to high-pressure tactics."

Published Thursday July 15, 2004

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