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The Charity Commission for England and Wales has raised concerns about the activities of an animal charity, Drone to Home, and referred the matter to the police following their policy on potential criminal activity. This development came after several former volunteers alleged that the organisation had been inflating the number of dogs it claimed to find, with the intention of boosting donations and sponsorships.
Drone to Home was established in 2022 by Phil James, a former officer with Nottinghamshire Police. The charity quickly gained attention, amassing a significant following on Facebook with over 154,000 followers and attracting widespread media interest. Despite repeated requests, neither James nor the remaining trustee of the charity has responded to inquiries from the BBC regarding these allegations.
The charity announced its closure on 22 November, shortly after the BBC sent a “right of reply” letter outlining the allegations and including testimonies from former volunteers. Meanwhile, the Charity Commission clarified that its role is to ensure trustees comply with charity law, and it does not investigate criminal allegations. After opening a regulatory compliance case and gathering information, the Commission reported its concerns to the police but subsequently confirmed that it found no further regulatory role, although it continues to oversee the charity’s closure.
Former volunteers and members of other animal search and rescue groups expressed scepticism about the charity’s claims, suggesting it took credit for dogs found by other organisations through Facebook posts. Several volunteers also described worrying behaviour by Phil James. Four women said they felt intimidated after James reportedly followed and filmed them during a dog search in Leicestershire. Additionally, James left a voicemail for a volunteer drone pilot’s employer containing false accusations, and another volunteer received a fake legal letter accusing her of defamation. The barristers’ chambers named on the letter, 7BR, has informed the police about the fraudulent use of their letterhead. In response to the BBC’s queries, James denied the claims and threatened legal action. The charity’s Facebook page and website have since been shut down, with plans by the Charity Commission to dissolve the charity officially. Nottinghamshire Police have been notified of the matter but declined to comment
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