BOGUS CLOTHING COLLECTION COMPANIES

That this House condemns the practice of bogus clothing collection companies that use misleading leaflets to solicit clothing donations under the pretence of benevolent purposes but sell the clothes for financial gain; further condemns the outright theft of charitable donations from doorsteps carried out by organised criminal gangs in connection with these bogus companies; notes with concern the losses to the charitable sector of £3 million per year, caused by these actions, as estimated by the Association of Charity Shops; and calls for measures to be taken to raise public awareness of these activities, stronger action to prevent bogus companies operating outside the law and further steps to help the police tackle donation theft, particularly concerning the rules on ownership of charitable donations.