I heard it is illegal in the UK for charities to shake their collection tubs?

Answer 1

It is illegal for people to collect in unsealed buckets (as firemen are prone to do). Any collection receptable should be sealed, to avoid the snaffling of the contents.

A collector shall not carry or use any collecting box, receptacle or tray which does not bear displayed prominently the name of the charity or fund which is to benefit and the number of the box.

All collecting boxes must be numbered consecutively and must be securely closed and sealed to prevent them being opened or tampered with without the seals being broken.

Every collector shall deliver, unopened, all collecting boxes in his possession to a promoter.

After the collection all collection boxes must be opened in the presence of a promoter and another responsible person or where a collecting box is delivered, unopened, to a bank, it may be opened by an official of the bank.

As soon as a collecting box has been opened, the person opening it shall count the contents and shall enter the amount with the number of the collecting box on a list which shall be certified by that person.

Answer 2

This is sadly true. (I live in Wales, UK).

I collected for charity outside a supermarket once and was told that I was not allowed to shake the collection tin as it was considered to be a form of "harrassment" to the public.

I was also not allowed to call out the name of the charity or do anything else to draw attention to my collection for the same reason. Displaying posters etc was OK but they didn't like me handing out leaflets.

Bloody stupid IMHO. I wouldn't have stood there all day shaking the tin but when you are collecting outside a busy supermarket you have to draw a bit of attention to yourself otherwise people tend to just walk past, and most (normal) people don't mind putting 50p in a collection tin for charity.

Answer 3

I don't know about illegal, but I know it is frowned upon generally as shaking the collection tubs in front of people can be construed as harassment and I think if someone does this you can report them to the charity in question.

Answer 4

It is classed as begging to think it is in fact illegal.

Illegal or not, I tend not to give to people who shake the tub as I think it's rude.

Answer 5

yes... my music and theatre society were told it is classed as "soliciting" if you shake the collection tubs and were told we are not allowed to do it when we go carolling around christmas time for charity.

Big Issue sellers aren't allowed to talk to you now either to ask if you want to buy their magazine for the same reason.

Answer 6

i don't know where your getting you information from. But i cant see how possibly shaking collection tubes can be an offence and can possibly be illegal.

Answer 7

yes Ive heard this,when you shake the tin it is classed as begging.in a way i agree with this cos i don't like the tin being shoved in my face & i am more likley to put money in the tin when not being shook.

Answer 8

i expect so ,but its a bit daft isn`t it .Give me a charity box rattler any day rather than the annoying energy company reps who come knocking on the door asking you to change company.or the insurance companies who are forever touting for business

Answer 9

You didn't actually hear it wrong....it is not permitted and they can be prosecuted for doing it! It comes down to some boring old fart act of 09BC and should be scrapped!

By shaking the tin it is deemed to be asking for money i.e. begging!

Answer 10

My local salvation army collector, a kindly old gent called Clive, was wrestled to the ground by eight police officers and dragged off for a beating after rattling his box.
That's a warning if ever there was one.