Charity Check, which provides advice on dealing with "nuisance" collections, is calling on Wandsworth Council and the police to take a stance on tackling the problem.

A number of complaints regarding people collecting for charities along Putney High Street have been sent to the Wandsworth Crime Prevention Panel and posted on a community website.

By asking for pledges and direct debits only, the collectors - normally employed by big UK charities - can avoid legislation requiring those collecting cash to carry licences.

One Putney pedestrian spoke of a collector "physically blocking my path, dodging from side to side to stop me entirely", while another added that "many people would give nothing at all if they weren't embarrassed into giving by these people".

Charity Check states many charities now employ a separate company to collect money for them, which often takes a percentage in commission.

Director Philip Cowen said that although a change in the law is needed, the organisation could still advise local authorities on "taking a lead" to resolve the problem.

He added: "We've been talking to councils around the country who are sending complaints to us.

"Experience in other places suggests that such problems with street collections could be solved only if an individual was determined to take a lead and see the problem cleared up."

He added that no one from the council or the police had yet risen to the challenge or written to the organisation - which is endorsed by the Local Government Association and the National Neighbourhood Watch Association - for advice.

Former police officer Councillor Jim Maddan - who is secretary of the Wandsworth Crime Prevention Panel - said: "There are times when I've seen seven or eight different charities in a week down there. Fundamentally there needs to be a change in legislation."

A council spokesman said: "We have had reports that some people working on behalf of a handful of charities are making a nuisance of themselves in Putney High Street.

"We have looked into this issue but unfortunately the council does not have any legal powers to prevent it.

"Councillors have had discussions with the police about this problem and will continue to monitor the situation."

July 15, 2002 10:00