Charities will be fined up to £200 if on-street fundraisers are caught flouting strict new rules set out by Enfield Borough Council.

Only five charity sellers, or 'chuggers', will be allowed to work at any one time throughout the whole borough under new measures to encourage people to return to the high streets.

The council signed an agreement with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) to limit the amount of 'chuggers' after a survey by the Local Government Association discovered most councils thought face-to-face fundraisers discouraged people from visiting shopping centres.

If any sellers are caught breaking the rules, the council will report it to the PFRA, which could fine the charity between £20 and £200 depending on the severity of the breach.

According to the council, any money raised will be paid to the PFRA.

On-street fundraisers will only be allowed to work in the stretch between Burleigh Road to London Road in Enfield - everywhere else will be out of bounds.

The council’s cabinet member for environment, Councillor Chris Bond, said: "We want to strike a balance between helping charities raise vital money for good causes while protecting shoppers from being constantly approached by chuggers asking them for money.

"The rules we have agreed limit the number of chuggers in our town centre, restrict them to a particular location in town and make sure there is a reasonable space between them, so shoppers can give them a wide berth if they so desire.”

Cllr Bond said the council needs to do everything it can to help its town centres whole the economy is struggling, and believes this is a “sensible and proportionate” way to offer support. 

The new legislation is aimed at people who raise money by asking people to regularly donate money to charity by setting up a direct debit agreement.

It will not be prevent people from raising money with collection tins, such as Royal British Legion collections for Remembrance Day.