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'Chuggers' face ban in West End
By Anna Davis, London Lite Last updated at 12:10pm on 09.03.07
'Charity muggers': a fundraiser in Regent Street
Charity fundraisers are to be banned from Westminster streets as part of a clean-up of the West End.
The city council wants to stop the "threatening and annoying" collectors who stop pedestrians in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street.
The authority is lobbying the Government to implement the Charities Act 2006, which is not due to come into effect until 2009, as soon as possible.
The law will give councils power to ban "charity muggers", or "chuggers", from the streets.
A report by the council, Transport for London and the New West End Company, says: "The trend of charities employing companies who accost the public on the street to elicit support has become excessive.
"There will often be several teams operating along a single street at any one time and many people find these hard-sell tactics threatening and annoying."
Danny Chalkley, head of economic development at Westminster, said: "Chuggers are charitable by nature - that's a good thing - but they are irritating to pedestrians." The law will mean fundraisers must apply to councils for a licence to work on the streets.
Kensington and Chelsea councils are set to follow Westminster's example.
Reader views (42)
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Now admittedly, there are less in Aberdeen (but then there's less places to go), but I don't see what the problem is.
The wonderful argument of I'll give my own way is greta, but people DON'T give unless asked. Aberdeen recently put up homeless boxes around town so that people could put money in there, and the money would be used to help the homeless and help eradicate begging. In 3 months they've raised under £350. A local homeless charity went out collecting for an hour before a football game and made over £400. People don't give unless asked. So charities will ask you, and they'll ask you to give monthly because it's the best way for them, it IS cost efficient. If you don't want to give, just say no thanks and walk away.
Or is being asked a question and having to make a reply too difficult for you?
- Michael, Aberdeen
I take the point about chuggers collecting for good causes but you often see four of five of them operating within the space of about fifty yards. You've just explained to one that you are unable to contribute, then another one from the same organisation stops you, very often after having seen that you have just spoken to their colleague. That's just intimidation; if someone has said no, they should be left alone, not badgered and made to feel under pressure like this.
- L J Wright, UK
What most people are forgetting is that these "chuggers" are employees of companies that make money on a commission basis.
Whilst yes, this is an important revenue for charities, surely it would be better to give directly to the charity then through some company. Some charities only start receiving money after the first year.
- Anon, London
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