Pubgoers warned of bogus charity collectors

The charity commission today issued a warning about gangs of bogus charity collectors selling roses and lollipops in pubs and clubs.

Evidence gathered by the commission's investigators and passed to police has already led to successful prosecutions.

But charity chiefs believe that the fraudsters have simply changed their strategy to avoid detection and are selling lollipops instead.

"Often the collectors claim to be a charity for breast cancer or children with leukaemia," said the Charity Commission's investigator Sara Houchen.

"But I have written to a number of these charities and none have received any donation from these collectors."

Ms Houchen says some bogus vendors have targeted areas around Charlotte Street, Clapham High Street, Liverpool Street, London Bridge and Bishopsgate.

Many carry a fake letter from a charity with its logo to give them an air of legitimacy.