Charity Collectors On Broadway - Page 2

Neil · 17-03-2012, 05:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

See post 8,

I have seen that but I doubt a Councillor can ask to see a persons license. It will probably be some council officers and I was wondering who.

jaysay · 17-03-2012, 09:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I wonder who has the authority to check them out and what would happen if they don't have a license.

If I remember rightly Neil you get a letter from the Licensing authority, which list all the dos and don'ts and I think must be available for inspection on the day of collection, I always used to take that letter with me when out collecting. Just seen your above post Neil, would think any councillor could ask to see the authorisation

susie123 · 17-03-2012, 11:05

From HBC website:

Only local authorities issue street collection licences under Section 5 of the Police, Factories, etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916, as amended by the Local Government Act 1972 and Schedule 29 of that Act.

As it's an offence under this law not to have a licence then surely it's down to the police to check them out and prosecute. Probably means it'll never happen.

Don't think councillors would have any authority at all.

accyman · 17-03-2012, 13:48

well if benches are removed to stop alcholics gathering in town center then maybe ban money from town center so theres no reason for charity collectors to be there.

i dont see any point in wasting police time with crime infact not getting them to do their job is working so well why start making them do it now?

annesingleton · 17-03-2012, 18:13

I saw some collectors on Broadway today in silly hats collecting for Marie Curie cancer care.

Neil · 17-03-2012, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by susie123

From HBC website:

Only local authorities issue street collection licences under Section 5 of the Police, Factories, etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916, as amended by the Local Government Act 1972 and Schedule 29 of that Act.

As it's an offence under this law not to have a licence then surely it's down to the police to check them out and prosecute. Probably means it'll never happen.

Don't think councillors would have any authority at all.

Thank you for the info, I also do not think a councillor has any authority to enforce anything the council is responsible for like licensing or litter/dog fines etc

lindsay ormerod · 18-03-2012, 12:13

Why don't the Police just have a copy of who has a licence to collect for each week and then when on duty they could check??

susie123 · 18-03-2012, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindsay ormerod

Why don't the Police just have a copy of who has a licence to collect for each week and then when on duty they could check??

Probably cost too much in admin for the council to send a list to the police.

jaysay · 18-03-2012, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by susie123

Probably cost too much in admin for the council to send a list to the police.

What a first class stamp, they have been known to send out, by post, a final demands for 2p none payment of council tax susie

Bob Dobson · 18-03-2012, 15:17

The register of licenses may be available for public view at the council offices. This is doing my blood pressure no good. The offences here isn't just collecting without a licence, but obtaining money ( a pecuniary advantage) by deception.It is a matter for the police.

accyman · 18-03-2012, 16:53

if you want the police to act ring 999 and report them.Every 999 call has to be responed to but the calls do get prooritised so it could be up to 2-3 days until they attend depending how serious the think obtaining money by deception is

katex · 18-03-2012, 16:58

To be fair here, we don't know whether this 'profusion' (don't know the collective noun for collectors

) of charity collectors were operating illegally.

Understand this is a duty that has been consigned to the PCSO's, so that Police Officers can get on with other important matters.

We also don't know how often they check up on them, do we. I feel sure they will quite often. So doesn't seem fair to criticise the Police Force here without knowing any facts.

It would be the Council, from what I gather, that would decide on a prosecution or not.

accyman · 18-03-2012, 17:07

surely if they are operating without a licence they are obtaining money by deception which is an issue for the police.If they are a propper fund raising group they would be squeaky clean and adhere to the rules.If someone is collecting without a licence/permission its not too far a stretch to assume the money is going diectly into their pockets at the end of the day.

i dont think theres any problem if somone thinks something is amiss and decides to ring the police especially as the same group of people are collecting for multiple charities which in its self is odd unless people are now paid to collect money which seems even more odd

jaysay · 18-03-2012, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by accyman

surely if they are operating without a licence they are obtaining money by deception which is an issue for the police.If they are a proper fund raising group they would be squeaky clean and adhere to the rules.If someone is collecting without a licence/permission its not too far a stretch to assume the money is going directly into their pockets at the end of the day.

i dont think there's any problem if someone thinks something is amiss and decides to ring the police especially as the same group of people are collecting for multiple charities which in its self is odd unless people are now paid to collect money which seems even more odd

Not as odd as you think accyman, you want to take a look at the balance sheet of most of the national charities, and see just how much money is paid in wages, will open your eyes, it certainly opened mine.

katex · 18-03-2012, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Understand this is a duty that has been consigned to the PCSO's, so that Police Officers can get on with other important matters.

It would be the Council, from what I gather, that would decide on a prosecution or not.

Honestly, I am not even sure about this. Some Councils talk about 'Council Enforcement Staff' who carry out this enforcement. Are they part of the Lawyers' Office ? Staff appears to be low on the ground for approaching street collectors, and haven't time to wander the streets looking for culprits. Also, most don't work on Saturdays.

Perhaps the police only get involved when there is disruption to the flow of foot fall or some sort of franchais breaks out ?

I would presume that once someone is prosecuted for having no licence, then any suspected fraudulent activities may be reported to the police.

Don't think any of the posters on this thread actually know the facts, we're all just speculating ....

Will look forward to Cllr. Pritchard filling us in on this.