Business and shop owners warned over suspected bogus charity collector

The same man is believed to have visited shops in Oswestry, Ellesmere and Shrewsbury over the past few weeks and is also suspected of similar incidents in the Cheshire and Herefordshire areas.

He claims that his child died from leukaemia last year and that he is either collecting for a charity such as Leukaemia Research or looking for sponsorship for a run on behalf of the charity.

He usually has a list of other local businesses who have apparently donated and often claims that by giving money, the premises will get a mention or advert in the local newspaper.

Suspicions were raised when a number of people contacted their local paper to check on the supposed article or advert after donating money, only to find the publications had no knowledge of any such thing.

“There have now been at least eight reports about this man’s activities in the county but he has potentially targeted many more businesses who have not realised they may have been conned,” said Police Constable Sally Downes, from Shrewsbury Police Station.

“He is described as smartly dressed and extremely plausible, slightly changing his story depending on which town he is in.

“Our advice to anyone, whether in a shop, other business or even at home, is never to hand over any money unless you can verify that the person is legitimately collecting for a specific charity.

“If you have any concerns about a person’s validity, offer instead to donate directly to whichever charity they are collecting for, getting the contact details yourself either from the internet or the phone book.”

PC Downes also urged anyone who might be visited by the suspected bogus collector not to give him any money and to contact police immediately on 0300 333 3000.

“He is described as white, in his 20s or 30s and of average build, with brown or light brown hair,” she said.

“He is smartly dressed and has been described as ‘very plausible and convincing’.

Anyone who comes into contact with him is urged not to hand over any money and to contact the police immediately on 0300 333 3000.”