A tough crackdown on nuisance charity chuggers who harass shoppers is now in force.

Tighter controls have been brought in as part of a Carlisle Council crackdown on charity collectors who sign people up to direct debit payments.

The new policy has been adopted to restrict the number of so-called chuggers – a play on the phrase ‘charity muggers’ – and to warn people of the dangers of unlicensed operators.

And collection groups that breach them could face sanctions from a regulation group.

Chuggers have gained an unenviable reputation for the aggressive way they pack shopping areas – often in large numbers – to get people to sign up to supporting causes. Because they collect direct debit pledges rather than cash, they have been difficult to licence.

But the new agreement brings clear rules about what is and isn’t allowed in Carlisle city centre.

They mean that chuggers from legitimate charities will only be allowed to work on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between 10am and 6pm, with a maximum of five collectors spread over two sites – Scotch Street to Costa Coffee and Devonshire Street to Barclays Bank.

Traditional charitable street collectors – taking one-off cash donations – will be allowed on the alternate days. It’s hoped that the move will remove the nuisance factor for shoppers, ensure only legitimate charities collect and help the City Centre Management Team better agree promotional events.

Sue Stashkiew, the city council’s licensing manager, said: “What this means is that those who come to the city centre work within certain rules and regulations.

“It means the public aren’t going to be running a gauntlet of collectors, which they have done previously.

“We had a few complaints, particularly about the Scotch Street area, about more than one charity collecting at the same time on the same day. This shouldn’t happen any more. We’re already starting to see the benefits of this.”

Legitimate chuggers will carry ID issued by the PRFA.

Cash collectors will have a licence issued by the council.

The crackdown has been welcomed by shoppers in the city centre, who are annoyed by the constant approaches from people on the street.

Carly Richardson, 59, of Wilson Street, off Newtown Road, Carlisle, said: “There’s been so much bad publicity about charities – where the money is going – a lot of people are now getting put off.

“I don’t like the fact that you give to a charity and then they pass your details on to other ones and then you’re inundated. You get people that say honestly we don’t pass on your information but then you get phone calls.

“I think it’s a shame because charities are suffering because of it.”

Tony Walsh, 60, of Kingstown, Carlisle, agreed saying: “If you’re not being asked on the street, you’re being phoned at home. It’s constant and it’s a pain.

“Just stop people from stopping people on the street just to sell them stuff or asking them for money.”

Carlisle City Council has received complaints about the numbers operating in the city.

Hannah Dodd, 16, of Anthorn, thought there had been an increase and said she was often stopped by the same charities.

She said: “I think recently in Carlisle there’s more buskers and there’s more people on the street trying to sell things but I feel we’re getting more cultured.”

After striking an agreement with the Public Fundraising Association (PFRA), the numbers of charity chuggers have been limited and complaints are starting to fall.

Council deputy leader Les Tickner said: “If chuggers do not follow strict rules that have been agreed, the public and businesses can complain to the PFRA, who operate a penalty point system.

“That may eventually lead to a ban for the charity concerned.”

Meanwhile, licensing officers are also tackling problems associated with pedlars, who travel from town to town selling the likes of wristbands and other goods, saying the proceeds go to charity. T hose sellers are licensed by police and officials are working with officers to try and stop licences being issued for Carlisle, so those in the area illegally can be moved on.

A warning has also been issued for those who buy the likes of rag mags, the sellers of which are not currently controlled under licensing laws, to be cautious about where their money is going.

V igilance is being urged too over the legitimacy of clothing collections from homes. People are being urged to check online to see whether the cause is legitimate.

More details are available in the licensing section at www.carlisle.gov.uk.

Crackdown on chuggers