Eighty TV licence dodgers caught out

Revealing the figure, TV Licensing said this compared to more than 210 in Hastings, more than 270 in Eastbourne, more than 130 in St Leonards and more than 560 in Brighton. The offenders were among almost 197,000 people caught across the UK between January and June.

Despite the totals, the average evasion rate remains at a low of just over five per cent, meaning that almost 95 per cent of properties are correctly licensed.

Pauline Gillingham, TV Licensing spokesperson for the South East, said: “While the vast majority of people in the UK pay their licence fee, to be fair to those who pay, we have to be firm with those who try to get away without paying.

“We take TV Licence evasion very seriously and we will not hesitate to prosecute if people continue to break the law.”

She added: “We would always prefer people to buy a TV Licence rather than risk prosecution and we give people every opportunity to pay. We do understand some people may find it difficult to pay their licence fee in one go, so we offer numerous ways to spread the cost.

“These include a weekly cash payment plan, a savings card and monthly Direct Debit scheme, which can all be set up very quickly online.”

In May, TV Licensing launched a new advertising campaign to remind people about the different ways to pay for their licence.

Part two of the “Whatever’s easiest for you” ad trails will air on BBC channels for the first time tomorrow, Saturday, July 23 highlighting the alternative options to paying all at once.

A colour TV Licence currently costs £145.50 and is required by anyone watching or recording TV programmes as they are shown on TV, whether they are using a TV set, computer, or any other equipment. Anyone watching TV illegally risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

• Further information on how and where to pay the licence fee can be found on the TV Licensing website: www.tvlicensing.co.uk