Crackdown on telly dodgers
TV Licensing is sending an early warning to licence evaders in Eastbourne, urging them to get a TV licence or risk a knock at the door ahead of an enforcement campaign in the area.
The crackdown, which will target the unlicensed addresses in the area identified by TV Licensing's comprehensive database of more than 29 million addresses, comes after a community information campaign began in December to remind people in Eastbourne of the consequences they face if they are not properly licensed.
Figures released by TV Licensing reveal that TV Licensing caught nearly 600 licence fee dodgers in Eastbourne last year.
The results mean Eastbourne stays third of the Sussex's league of shame, TV Licensing's annual table of the worst offending towns and cities for watching TV without a licence, up one place on last year.
The high numbers of evaders caught is due to the increasing effectiveness of TV Licensing's detection methods.
TV Licensing's sophisticated database allows it to see at the touch of a button which properties are unlicensed.
Last year, TV Licensing also introduced hi-tech handheld detectors, to use alongside its fleet of detector vans.
TV Licensing's success in catching evaders is helping to keep evasion levels at around five per cent nationally.
In an unchanged top two from 2006, Brighton stayed top and Worthing came in second.
Overall, TV Licensing caught nearly 5,000 evaders across Sussex — enough to fill Eastbourne's Royal Hippodrome Theatre nearly eight times over.
As part of the campaign, TV Licensing has written to unlicensed addresses in Eastbourne to give advance warning that enquiry officers will be carrying out increased visiting in their area and to encourage residents to get a licence if they require one.
They are also being reminded of the consequences of being caught using television receiving equipment without a valid licence.
TV Licensing spokesperson Joanna Pearce said, "This is the last chance for evaders in Eastbourne before our crackdown begins.
"Get a TV licence now or run the risk of prosecution, a trip to court and a fine of up to 1,000.
"Our database allows us to see unlicensed addresses at the touch of a button so there really is nowhere for evaders to hide.
"While TV licensing is committed to catching evaders, we would much rather people buy a TV licence than risk prosecution - which is why we make it as easy as possible to pay and work hard to ensure people are aware of their licensing requirements.
"Unfortunately some people still try and avoid paying for a TV licence, and we have a duty to enforce the law on behalf of the honest majority who pay."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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