NEWS RELEASES
Beware bogus street collectors
6th December 2006
LOCAL people are being reminded to take extra care if they are approached by street or door to door charity collectors this Christmas and New Year period.
Whilst most such collections are bona fide, the message comes jointly from Horsham District Council and Sussex Police at a time of year when there tends to be an increase in the number of bogus charity collectors getting to work.
Locally, bogus collectors are normally found in Horsham town centre and other busy town and village locations, usually selling charitable tickets.
In a normal year, Horsham District Council licenses over 150 street collections whilst taking great care to ensure that collection permits are only granted to genuine charities.
If in doubt about an approach, the public is reminded that:
- All collectors should be able to produce a valid permit issued by Horsham District Council
- Charity collectors should have a sealed collection container with the charities registration number and name on it. A business or company registration number is not a charity registration number
- Collectors should be able to describe the charity’s work in sufficient detail
- Charities selling competition tickets should be able to produce a licence issued by Horsham District Council
Inspector Steve Keeler of Sussex Police said:
“Care also needs to be taken by the public when opening their wallets and purses in view of others and also not to be overheard giving out any personal details, when signing forms in the street, which could be used by an unscrupulous person to access your finances or to allow them use your identity in any way.
“Taking forms home and completing them there can be a better option.”
Cllr Robert Nye, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Public Health Control at Horsham District Council, added:
“There are over 186,000 charities doing an excellent job in the UK and, whilst charity fraud is rare, there are sadly some people who prey on the generosity of others.
“We do not for one instance want people to stop giving to charity but simply to be aware of who, what, where and why they are giving.
“If in doubt, do not be afraid to say no thanks and report the matter to Horsham District Council or the Police.”
Further information and advice is available from Horsham District Council’s Licensing Department on 01403 215488 or from Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 or the Charity Commission on 0845 3000 218.
Ends
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk