Tyne and Wear Councils consider ban on charity fund raisers

Newcastle City Council has announced that it is considering a bylaw to ban face-to-face fundraising, pejoratively known as ‘charity muggers’ or ‘chuggers’, from the city centre.  Council bosses said they have decided to act after a series of complaints from people who have said they were pestered by canvassers.

However, on 23 January 2012 South Tyneside Council announced that it was not considering a ban in the near future.  This has been welcomed by the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association, which represents street collectors.

Local authorities currently have the power to regulate street collections under the Police, Factories etc (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 and the Local Government Act 1972.  However, fundraisers fall outside the scope of these powers if they simply collect information from prospective donors.

The regulation of public charitable collections is subject to the current review of the Charities Act.

For more information help or advice please contact Chris Hook on 0191 211 7929 or email [email protected].