Warning To Beware Of 'Schoolgirl Scam'

Teenager claims to be collecting money for children's charity

A warning has been issued about a teenage girl who claims to be a student from Grey Court school in Ham collecting donations for a children's charity.

The girl, who has been knocking on doors in the Strand on the Green area and around Kew for several weeks, has been given several donations from people on the doorstep but has nothing to do with the school.

The associate headmaster of Grey Court, Mr. Gary Bashford, said that his investigations had shown the person was not a student at Grey Court and had nothing to do with the school community. The matter has been reported to the police.

Mr. Bashford said he was alerted when a number of Chiswick residents phoned him asking why one of his students was going door-to-door collecting money. Some of those who complained had already given the girl sums of money ranging from a few pounds to £20.

"She tells people she is either doing a fun run or sponsored walk in Richmond Park and says the money is going to a children's charity," he said.

The girl is described as black, aged around seventeen, with black hair scraped back, wearing smart clothes and carrying a folder with what could be a Grey Court School logo printed on it.

People are advised to refuse to donate and then to ring the police at 101 reporting the crime number- CHS 1902, stating that this has been reported on April 23rd by Gary Bashford.

The police have also said this is the best way to report any incident, rather than confronting the person on the doorstep.

April 24, 2014