Police are warning people in Broadland to be extra vigilant when donating second-hand goods following reports of unlicensed bogus charity collectors working door-to-door in the area.

By law, anyone carrying out house-to-house collections is required to have either obtained a licence from Broadland District Council or hold an exemption certificate issued by the Home Office. Without a licence or exemption, the collectors may be operating illegally and can face prosecution if caught.

Chief Insp Neil Baily, of Norfolk Police, said: “Bogus charity collectors prey on people’s goodwill and can have detrimental and lasting effects on legitimate charities. I would encourage residents to check the authenticity of any charity bag by contacting Broadland Council’s licensing team before generously donating. This follows incidents where charity bag collections are currently being considered as possibly linked to recent burglary offences, but police are keeping an open mind about this so in the meantime we ask the public to remain vigilant.”

Broadland Council’s portfolio holder for housing and environmental services, Roger Foulger, said: “The council’s licensing team is only a phone call away if any resident is in the slightest bit concerned about charity bag collections.”

If you have doubts about the leaflets asking for donations, ring the Charity Commission helpline on 0845 300 0218, visit its online register of charities at www.charitycommission.gov.uk or contact Broadland District Council on 01603 430580.

If you witness illegal collectors, theft of bags or other suspicious behaviour contact Norfolk Constabulary on 0845 456 4567 or in an emergency call 999.