Number of TV licence cheats caught is soaring

[BGonaSTICK]

The number of TV licence fee dodgers caught in Edinburgh is soaring, enforcers announced today as they unveiled their latest weapon against the cheats.

In 2005, 5960 people were caught without a licence, while last year that figure rose to 7071. In the first six months of this year alone, more than 4400 people were caught without a licence.

A new handheld detector will now be used on the streets of the Capital to target addresses that have repeatedly ignored warnings from TV Licensing.

A spokeswoman for TV Licensing said they would provide "greater flexibility" to enforcers and would work best "in places where the van can't go". This would apply to blocks of flats, where vans can find it difficult to pinpoint which homes have TVs.

Little larger than a torch, the lightweight device, which was launched nationally today, uses the same technology as the detector vans first seen in the 1950s.

The green units will pick up the signal of anyone watching TV, and this information can then be cross-referenced against the TV Licensing database, the record of who has a licence. This has more than 28 million addresses logged, and, along with the improved technology in detector vans, has helped towards a large rise in the number of local evaders caught.

Research carried out recently by TV Licensing has shown that 48 per cent of people in Scotland would be less inclined to watch TV without a licence if new technology made it more likely they would get caught, so enforcers hope the handheld equipment will lead to a surge in people buying licences.

TV Licensing spokeswoman Lisa Mennie said: "The new handheld devices are a welcome addition to our already effective enforcement operation, but they will not be so warmly received by licence fee evaders.

"Like the vans, the handheld devices are designed to be discreet, but they are capable of detecting within 20 seconds whether a TV is being watched. All our inquiry officers have to do is listen out for a beep.

"Our database already enables us to focus investigations on unlicensed addresses, which means we can use devices in a targeted way to catch people watching TV illegally. We have the technology to ensure anyone watching without a licence can expect a visit."

A TV licence costs £135.50 and there are around 25 million TV licence holders in the UK. Anyone caught without a licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1000, plus court costs.

[BGonaSTICK]

Whilst I happily pay my TV licence, it's worth noting that if the TV Licensing 'enforcers' do knock on your door - handheld device or nay - they have absolutely no right to enter your home unless you invite them, and therefore no chance whatsoever of putting together a case against you.

[diapason]

It would have to be Edinburgh again - which must be THE most enforced city in Britain. Their traffic wardens are the most zealous in the country, and everywhere you go there are threatening signs. Other places have signs which read "Speed Cameras" - Edinburgh's signs read "Police Enforcement Cameras" and every other sign is a prohibition of one kind or another.

[Gav]

Originally Posted by BGonaSTICK

Whilst I happily pay my TV licence, it's worth noting that if the TV Licensing 'enforcers' do knock on your door - handheld device or nay - they have absolutely no right to enter your home unless you invite them, and therefore no chance whatsoever of putting together a case against you.

Although a TV Antenna and a gazillion satellite dishes is a bit of a giveaway STICK

Surely, in a built up area, they'd have no way of detecting whether you were currently receiving a signal?

[wod]

well what do you expect with the rubbish shown on the channels these days, Bulgarian channels are more interesting even though i dont speak the language

[BGonaSTICK]

Originally Posted by Gav

they'd have no way of detecting whether you were currently receiving a signal?

And do you think they'd know what ART Sports was anyway?

As for the hardware - 'Left by the previous owner, Your Honour'

There are various arguments about how good the detection technology is, but it's not enough to prosecute anyway. It carries far more weight as a tool to intimidate people with. The 'enforcers' are not exactly little old ladies either.

If you are unlucky enough to open the door to one of these goons, say nothing and shut it again.

As I said, I'll pay my TV licence quite happily every year to ensure that Murdoch isn't the only sponsor of information in this country, and so my kids can hear non-American voices on the TV occasionally, but the old 'detector van' gag has worn a bit thin with me now.

[nanochickin]

they have absolutely no right to enter your home unless you invite them

Reminds me of the Young ones when Vyvian eats the TV to try and stop them being prosecuted.

Apparently the Old eating the TV trick doesn't wash in court either

[BGonaSTICK]

Loved The Young Ones more than life itself