Traders angry at city 'chuggers'

The fundraising industry regulator said there are few complaints

A number of traders in Brighton are calling for a bye-law to regulate charity collectors in the city.

Some shopkeepers want to put a stop to street fundraisers, known as 'chuggers' or charity muggers, because they say they harass shoppers.

The paid canvassers stop people on the street and ask them to donate money.

But the body which regulates the fundraising industry has said the collectors generate millions of pounds for charity each year.

You can have fundraisers being actually more aggressive than beggars Soozie Campbell, Brighton City Centre Business Forum

Peter Stocker, from the North Laine Traders' Association, said: "I think it verges on harassment - if you are someone who is fairly meek and mild and somebody is leaping up and down on the street."

Soozie Campbell, from the Brighton City Centre Business Forum, said: "You can have fundraisers being actually more aggressive than beggars.

"But because they are beggars the police can deal with them but because they are so-called charity collectors you cannot do anything about it."

Sue Brampton, from the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association, said: "Our complaints are running at 0.014% of interactions.

"But the tiny minority of which do step out of line will be retrained, disciplined or even sacked."

The fundraising industry is currently in negotiations with the North Laine traders to resolve the situation.