Warning over young people involved in bogus charity collections

A Derry councillor has warned of young people carrying out bogus charity collections in the city.

Sinn Fein’s Colly Kelly was speaking after an incident in the Creggan Road area of the city.

He said: “I am making this urgent appeal after being contacted by a constituent about bogus charity collections in the general upper Creggan Hill area of the city.

“The resident who contacted me challenged a number of young people in the Grangemore Park area this week and it subsequently turned out they were collecting sponsorship money under false pretences.

“He then contacted the PSNI and made them aware of the situation.”

Cllr Kelly advised anyone asked on their doorstep by children under 16 years of age for sponsorship, should ask them for proper identification.

He added: “Children under 16 will not be authorised by any charity to do door to door collections.”

Cllr Kelly concluded: “ If you are still unsure ask for a contact number of the charity for verification and if you don’t get any satisfaction contact the police.”

Photo shows Cllr Kelly at the entrance to Grangemore on Creggan Road where the young people were challenged.