'Aggressive' charity collectors banned from town centre

A Lancashire town has banned charity collectors who employ 'aggressive tactics' towards shoppers.

Burnley Council moved to outlaw the collectors - who have been dubbed 'charity muggers' or 'chuggers' for short - after receiving complaints from visitors and local businesses.

The collectors will now only be allowed to operate in the town centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays, leaving shoppers free of the 'nuisance' at peak weekend times.

Councillor Charlie Briggs, leader of Burnley Council, told the Burnley Express: "We know a number of shoppers had started to avoid parts of St James' Street, having been repeatedly approached by charity collectors operating in the area in the past.

"We've tried to find a balance between allowing charities to raise cash for worthy causes while at the same time preventing collectors being seen as a nuisance."

Chuggers are often paid employees of a company working on behalf of a charity.

 [Related Story: ‘Chuggers’ face £500 fine for annoying shoppers]

Other councils have also started to take action, many through the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) – a charity-led organisation which acts as a bridge between councils and charities practicing face-to-face fundraising.

Wolverhampton City Council warned chuggers last year they will face court action and fines of up to £500 if they are caught hassling members of the public.

In Edinburgh they are banned entirely from the popular Princes Street.

Ian MacQuillin, spokesman for PFRA, said there were 18 more cases looming over the next 12 months which may see chuggers have limited access to major cities like Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield, as well as the City of Westminster.