Crackdown on Dudley chuggers is rejected by council
A crackdown on charity collectors in Dudley was today ruled out by council chiefs – meaning the so-called "chuggers" can continue to pester shoppers.
Dudley Council was considering restricting when and where the "charity muggers" can work after a Government report said they needed controlling.
Bosses were expected to follow Wolverhampton Council's lead and draw up a voluntary list of rules, with The Public Fundraising Regulatory Authority.
But the authority's bosses today said regulations will not be tightened unless there is a change in the law.
The collectors line the streets in towns across the borough and in particular Dudley Market Place.
The council ruled last year that they should carry a licence but they insist the law does not apply to them as they do not collect cash.
In July council chiefs said they would look at the recommendations from a national review by Lord Hodgson before deciding whether to enforce stricter working times. At the time they said the review showed tighter controls are needed and chuggers should be licensed.
Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member for human resources, law and governance, said: "In Dudley we require all charity street collectors to have a street collection permit."
