Shropshire man arrested over suspected charity scam

A man has been arrested on suspicion of obtaining money in Shropshire and Herefordshire through fraudulent claims about leukaemia victims.

Police had investigated complaints about a man calling at businesses claiming to be collecting for charity.

West Mercia Police said he claimed to be collecting in memory of a boy who had died from leukaemia.

Police said a 28-year-old Shrewsbury man was arrested by Staffordshire police in Cannock on Thursday.

A spokesman said he had been brought into custody at Shrewsbury police station and was being questioned about a series of suspected frauds during March.

Police are investigating complaints from a total of 30 shops and other businesses in Shropshire and Herefordshire - four in Oswestry, four in Ellesmere and 22 in Leominster.

The spokesman said: "He has been arrested on suspicion of committing fraud by dishonestly obtaining services and also criminal damage."