‘NUISANCE’ street fundraisers will be clamped down on in Crewe and Nantwich after a move by the borough council.

Cheshire East Council told the Guardian that shoppers and visitors have complained about aggressive ‘hard sells’ by some fundraisers and being pestered to provide direct debit details in the street.

Cheshire East has been working in partnership with town councils and the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) to hammer out voluntary agreements to help resolve tensions and improve professional standards of street collectors.

Dane Valley Cllr Les Gilbert, cabinet member in charge of localism and enforcement, said: “We know there is a problem and we are determined to do the right thing by our residents, local shops and businesses – and reputable charity collectors who run the risk of being tarred with the same brush.

“This council is committed to protect and support our residents from unacceptable conduct and harassment by some street fundraisers. We also want to ensure that reputable charity collectors are also protected and supported.

“We are keen to promote the vibrancy of our town centres as great places to shop, visit and do business. This initiative aims to assist retailers who are concerned that shoppers are being put off coming by the activities of ‘chuggers’ on our high street.”

Paid street fundraisers or ‘chuggers’ do not need permission to collect on the street under The Charities Act 1992.

However, Cheshire East Council currently encourages these organisations to inform relevant Cheshire East officers so that no more than one is present in the same town centre at the same time.

Steve Service, outreach officer at the PRFA, said: “We are pleased to be working with town centres across Cheshire East to get an area wide agreement in place to regulate direct-debit fundraising.

“The right of charities to seek a sustainable form of income must be balanced against the rights of the public not to be put under undue pressure to give money.

He said a meeting with town centre representatives was “extremely positive” and hopes an agreement can be reached early next year.“Following an extremely positive meeting with representatives from local town centres, we are hopeful that an agreement can be reached early in the new year.”