CHARITIES are losing out to the nuisance tactics employed by Worcester’s charity muggers, or ‘chuggers’, according to a city councillor.

Chugger is an amalgamation of ‘charity’ and ‘mugger,’ and refers to face-to-face street fund-raisers, working for agencies, who encourage people to set up direct debits.

They have become a feature on Worcester High Street and have been criticised for being pushy, representing more than one charity and because they are paid and not volunteers.

Councillor David Clark has been working to curb their presence and believes that all charities lose out, blaming the agencies that employ chuggers rather than the charities themselves for the negativity towards street fund-raisers.

He said: “(Chuggers) have circumvented the law. People suffer who have gone through the correct process.”

Worcester City Council currently sets aside 35 days each year for charities to appeal for donations on the High Street. Those who wish to do so must apply through the council.

Martin Gillies, environmental health manager for the city council, said that the reason for the current laws were to “ensure charities collecting are bona fide and to ensure charitable collection doesn’t cause a nuisance”.

Because no money is physically exchanged, chuggers are free to roam the streets whenever they like and set up direct debits as they are not classified as charitable collections.

However, Mr Gillies said that a number of agencies do notify the council when they are going to be on the High Street.

Coun Clark’s comments follow research by Intelligent Giving, an independent charity-advisory website, which conducted a survey on chuggers.

They found that donors were not being told by chuggers how much they were being paid and on what basis, which is a requirement under the Charities Act 1992. The survey also found that 30 per cent would not leave people alone when asked.

High Street shoppers also spoke out against the chuggers. Raymond Tinsley of Worcester said: “They’re too pushy. They’re intimidating to older people and gullible youngsters.”

There is hope for Worcester shoppers. New legislation is waiting for Royal Ascent which will give the council greater power over the chuggers.

Agents will need permits to operate and local authorities will be able to restrict the numbers operating in certain areas. In the meantime, Intelligent Giving recommends going directly to the charity to donate rather than dealing with chuggers.