Hastings man charged with lifeboat charity scam

A Royal National Lifeboat Institution charity collection bucket was stolen on May Day (May 4) from the RNLI shop on The Stade at Hastings.

Police were told on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 that a man was asking for donations on behalf of the RNLI. The man was described as not having any identification to show that he worked for the charity.

Officers investigated and a man was arrested.

Bhupesh Rashmi Amin, 35, from Ticehurst Close, Hastings, has been charged with fraud by false representation and theft. He is bailed to appear at Hastings Magistrates Court on Wednesday, May 27.

Inspector Dan Russell, of the Hastings Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “Always check for identification from anyone who asks for money.

“People inviting donations for charity will always have a badge bearing their name and photograph and details of the charity for which they are collecting.”