Suspected charity fraud

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th May 2009

A charity worker seen collecting in the Meanwood area of Leeds is suspected to be a fraud.

Cllr Brenda Lancaster received a call from a suspicious resident who said the man was going to local businesses collecting for Children in Need.

Cllr Brenda Lancaster (Lib Dem, Moortown) said:

"Having spoken to the charities Leeds branch it is extremely likely that this person is a fraud. Children in Need only have permission to collect in certain parts of the city and through certain businesses, this is the same for many other charities.

"The fundraising materials are readily available and can be found and printed off the internet. I would strongly urge people to use their judgement before they give money to someone collecting for charity".

A spokesperson for Children in Need said:

"BBC Children in Need does not employ any professional fundraisers. We advise all our supporters not to collect money in the street or any other public place without a licence from their local authority. If anyone is unsure about a collection happening in their area, we would recommend that they ask to see a collection licence and contact the police if they suspect the activity is fraudulent.

Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our supporters in our 2008 Appeal, BBC Children in Need has raised over £36 million that will go on to make a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK."