THE attack on war veteran Bob Schofield was sickening.

For a man of 89 to be subjected to such a violent beating understandably caused shock and distress in the local community.

Police are still hunting for the attackers and hopefully they will be brought to justice.

But in the meantime it is good to see that the community is taking its own steps to reassure residents in Salterforth.

Plans to introduce a no cold-calling zone in the village have been widely welcomed.

Police still believe that a door-to-door salesman could have been responsible for the attack on Mr Schofield.

A ban on cold calling should help to allay fears amongst elderly residents that they will be targeted in a similar way.

There are a lot of decent, law-abiding salesmen who wouldn’t dream of acting in such a way.

But a minority who pressure and bully elderly people have given the rest a bad name.

Trading standards experts already recommend that no one should agree to have work done or buy something from traders who come to their doors.

There are plenty of ways for people to find tradesmen or women if necessary.

Perhaps it is now time for the government to re-examine the issue of door-to-door sellers and introduce new laws to prevent the practice.