Four young girls have been using genuine charity sponsorship forms, downloaded from the Internet, to cash in on people’s generosity. 

The fraudsters called at houses and businesses in Clacton, claiming to be collecting sponsors for a charity run they were to take part in for Cardiac Risk in the Young.  Residents gave them money but the girls then disposed of the sponsorship forms and kept the cash. 

Police are now warning residents not to part with cash for sponsorship until after the event unless the person is well known to them and they are sure that the request for money is genuine. 

Pc John Fellows, from Clacton police station said: It is a said fact that these heartless girls were using people’s generosity to rip them off. 

“Charities rely on sponsored events to raise much needed funds and these selfish individuals are diverting funds away from the good causes and into their own pockets.” 

Anyone who has any information about this crime should contact PC Fellows at Clacton Police Station on 01255 221312 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.