Beware bogus charity textile collectors in Hedge End

Eastleigh Borough Council is warning residents in Hedge End and across the borough to be wary when putting out clothes for charity doorstep collections as bogus textile collectors are operating in the area.

These collectors distribute leaflets and bags in the same way as genuine charities, often adopting a name similar to that of a household name, but are in fact private companies operating for profit.

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service’s fund-raising has been hit due to a bogus company collecting textiles and bric-a-brac under the name ‘Air Ambulance Service’. This company is currently being investigated by Hampshire Trading Standards and the police.

Waste and Recycling Officer Angela Taylor says, “Residents who are keen to help charities through the donation of textiles should check the charity bags for a registered charity number and also a charity telephone number. If you are in doubt you should phone the charity or take your textiles to one of the ‘Bring banks’ in the borough. Details of these ‘bring banks’ can be found on our website.”

It’s also worth noting, though, that there have also been incidents of theft and vandalism in some areas of Hampshire with people trying to steal clothing from the textile bring banks.

The rise in price for textiles is said to be behind the bogus collectors’ activities and also the thefts from textile bring banks.