Street collection

It is illegal to hold a street collection to collect money or sell articles for the benefit of charitable or other purposes without a Street Collection Licence.

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 and there are regulations which govern this type of collection. Consents are restricted to enable charities to raise money without clashing with those of other charities.

The purpose of the legal requirement to obtain consent is to:

ensure collectors are properly authorised
money is collected in a secure way
the total proceeds collected are properly accounted for

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 TP HQ, Charities, Room 443, Victoria Embankment, Westminster, London SW1A 2JL (tel: 020 7321 7129).

Published on: 14/07/2020