Generous residents looking to support local flooding victims are being urged to donate with caution.
It has been brought to officers’ attention that unsolicited callers and visitors, claiming to be collecting for the flood relief fund, may be operating in the county borough.
This follows a recent report that cold-callers claiming to be from utility suppliers had been operating in the area.
Enquiries are ongoing by police and partners, but the public are reminded to be vigilant and to only hand over information or money to someone they are certain is who they claim to be.
To avoid falling victim to scammers, please always check identification – legitimate callers will be happy to wait outside your property while the company is called to verify ID.
Anyone who is authorised by the council to collect money on behalf of the flood relief will have been granted a permit.
Again, legitimate collectors will be willing to produce a certificate or permit number and all collection buckets will be sealed.
Anyone with concerns about suspicious behaviour should report it to police via 101.
