If you wish to collect donations for a charity on the street or house to house, you will need to contact the police.
You will need to contact the Metropolitan Police Charities Branch, and they will supply you with badges and a certificate, which our enforcement officers may request to see.
Details
To ensure your donations reach the cause of your choice here are a few guidelines:
- Check the collector is wearing an official signed badge and not a photocopy.
- Make sure the collection box has a slot for the donation with the name of the charity on it. Avoid collectors with open buckets or other open containers.
- Be wary of collectors dressed as doctors, nurses or vicars.
- Never donate by buying a ticket with a chance of winning a foreign holiday. Hardly any of the money reaches the charity.
- Be wary of "professional" charity collectors, who are paid to persuade - make sure the charity is genuine.
Contacts
Metropolitan Police Charities Branch: 020 7321 7129
Address: Charities, TP HQ, Room 443, Victoria Embankment, Westminster, London SW1A 2JL