Regulation?

The chuggers trade organisation calls itself the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association and says it's very strict about good behaviour. I downloaded a copy of the "PFRA Rule Book (Street F2F)" to see just how tough they are. Here's how the penalty system works:

• "Providers" (IE chugger agencies) accrue points for various offences
• These range from 20-100 points
• Every third offence counts double.
• Typical offence: Ignoring a victim's clear indication that they don't want to engage with the chugger scores 50 points
• Points are valued at £1
• BUT, no money is actually paid unless the total gets to £1000
• Points over a year old are forgotten.

So, for an agency to get fined £1000, they have to have their chuggers caught and reported misbehaving at the 50 point level 8 times in a year (remember, every 3rd offence counts double)

How many people hassled by a chugger jump through all the hoops to get a "fine" of £50 imposed? My guess is "not many". And even if chuggers were spot fined the £50 there and then, they (and the agency) can pay it out of their earnings in less than a day.

It's hardly draconian.