LGA hails regulatory standards for 'chuggers' as 250th agreement signed

Complaints from the public about the conduct of ‘chuggers’ have fallen sharply since councils and charities agreed a regulatory standard, the Local Government Association has said.

The so-called 'charity muggers’ attempt to secure direct debit commitments to good causes from passers-by in busy streets.

In 2012, the LGA and Public Fundraising Regulatory Authority signed a national agreement to tackle growing concerns about their behaviour.

This regulates the number of fundraisers present in any one place, the hours and days when they operate and sets out sanctions if charities breach agreements.

More than 80 councils have signed up with the PFRA, some with multiple agreements covering different sites, and Canterbury City Council this month signed the 250th such agreement.

The LGA said complaints from the public about chuggers had fallen in 72% of areas where agreements are in force, while 95% of councils felt the agreements had been successful and 96% said they were satisfied with the PFRA’s handling of complaints.

LGA regulation spokesman Nick Worth said: “We understand that face-to-face fundraising is an important method through which charities collect the income that enables them to do so.

“However, we also know that in some places, there was significant concern among residents about the number and behaviour of direct debit street fundraisers.”

These practices could damage local economies by deterring visits to shopping streets in which chuggers are prevalent, Worth said.

PFRA chair Paul Stallard said: “We are indebted to the continued support of our partner councils in helping us improve fundraising standards in local areas.”