HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned to be on their guard after a 13-year-old girl called door-to-door in Darwen seeking money for a bogus fund-raising event.

She visited homes in Ely Close, Cloister Drive and Hodgson Street claiming to be doing a sponsored silence with a handwritten form containing three forged signatures with false addresses.

The girl lied about being a Girl Guide and said the money would be given to several charities including the NSPCC.

Inspector Stuart Coates of Darwen Police said: "It is suspected this personal fund-raising scheme, also known as theft, is quite popular in the area and may become more popular if it is not stopped.

"Checks should be made to make sure callers are genuine."

He said people should always:

Check the form. It should, at least, be printed although this is not a guarantee of it be genuine.

If you have any doubt, ask for the child's name and address, make a note of it, and get the address of the person authorising the event.

Keep the sponsor form and inform the person alleged to be the organiser or the police.

If the child does leave without giving his or her identity, make a note of their description.

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