It is illegal in this country to hold a Street Collection to collect money or sell articles for the benefit of charitable or other purposes without obtaining a Street Collection Licence if that collection is to be held 'in a street or public place'. A 'public place' is a 'place where the public has access'.
There is no cost for the issuing of consent but there are rules to be followed in applying. Street Collections are usually made by Charities. Collections usually take place in a town centre on busy shopping days. Money is collected in tins. There are regulations, which govern this type of collection. Consents are restricted to enable charities to raise money without their collections clashing with those of other charities.
The purpose of the legal requirement to obtain consent is to ensure collectors are properly authorised and that money is collected in a secure way and the total proceeds collected are properly accounted for.
How to access the service
For information about how to obtain a Street Collection Licence please visit the Street Collections page of the Metropolitan Police website or contact them at the address given below.
Contact us
TP HQ, Charities, Room 443, Victoria Embankment, Westminster, London SW1A 2JL
Tel: 020 7321 7129