A CAMPAIGN to save residents from the heartache and misery of doorstep crime is working, trading standards officers say.

A report released today by North Yorkshire Country Council shows that the number of residents visited by doorstep traders has dropped by 22 per cent since the Doorstoppers campaign was launched.

Evidence of the campaign's success was also revealed in figures announced by Durham County Council, which show the authority received 122 reports of potential doorstep crime in 2002, 196 in 2003, 129 in 2004 and 112 last year.

Both local authorities are leaders of the campaign, which is being spearheaded by The Northern Echo.

Trading standards officers have attributed the success to measures such as the launch of No Cold Call Zones.

Such zones have been created in Great Ayton and Pickering, in North Yorkshire, and Shotton Colliery, in County Durham.

Rapid response teams to attend doorstep crime incidents have also been used.

Thousands of door stickers have been issued stating that doorstep callers are not welcome.

And a number of high-profile investigations of doorstep crime have resulted in convictions for blackmail, conspiracy to defraud and deceptions.

John Fort, North Yorkshire County Council's executive member for community services, said he was delighted with the campaign's success.

"We're determined to do all we can to protect consumers in this county and to make it clear to such traders they are not welcome in North Yorkshire," he said.

Graham Venn, head of the council's trading standards service, added: "Doorstep callers often target the most vulnerable members of society and we will do everything we can to protect them."

The North Yorkshire County Council survey shows that in the last three months, 51 per cent of residents were visited by a cold caller - compared to 73 per cent in 2002, before the campaign began.

No figures were available for Teesside.

The Northern Echo has been pressing through the Doorstoppers campaign for legislation to end cold calling by property repair companies, and for other firms that use cold calling to follow codes of good practice.

Householders should always check a caller's identity and never let anyone into the house if they are unsure who they are.

When in doubt, ring the police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.