Prosecutions of TV licence dodgers up 350% in five years

Date published: 20/08/2007

The number of TV licence dodgers in Greater Manchester has soared by more than 350% in five years, latest figures have revealed.

Prosecutions have risen from 3,039 in 2001 to 10,721 in 2005.

Across England and Wales, the number of TV licence fee evaders went up by 12% during the same period, from 96,278 to 107,747.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: "I think it is unfair for a minority of people to dodge paying. I have complaints from residents who are annoyed at value for money from the BBC but this is not the issue here.

"One of the reasons for the continual rise is because of people dodging the fee. This latest increase is probably because of the new technology available to the TV Licensing Agency. The message must be to get a TV Licence. It is simply unfair that everyone else has to pay and this increase proves that more and more people are getting caught."

A TV Licensing spokesperson said: "It is simply not fair on the honest majority who pay the licence fee that a small minority run the risk of getting caught.

"TV Licensing always prefers people to buy a licence rather than risk prosecution. However, we always provide as much information and evidence as possible to support any prosecution.

"It is a matter for the courts to decide whether or not to convict a TV licence evader and to set the level of the fine."

Using a set or any other device to receive or record television programmes without a valid TV licence is against the law and could lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

A colour set licence costs £135.50 and one for a black and white TV costs £45.50.

This is set to rise gradually to a maximum of £151.50 by 2012.