A fleet of vans are with “advanced detection tools” are being used to identify homes watching television without a TV Licence “within minutes”, TV Licensing has revealed.
Every household in the UK is legally required to have a TV licence in order to watch or record live TV, regardless of what channel it is on.
A standard colour TV Licence currently costs £180, following a price increase in April.
But TV Licensing has revealed that those trying to avoid the charge while still watching TV can be caught by their fleet of vans.
A statement on the TV Licensing website says: “We operate a fleet of vans equipped with advanced detection tools.
“These can identify TV receiving equipment at targeted addresses within minutes.”
Speaking previously, the TV Licence body has cautioned: "We have a database of approximately 31 million licensed and unlicensed addresses. This tells us if your address has a TV Licence."
"All our visiting officers have access to this database. This means they can check if you have a licence or not. If you tell us that you do not need a TV Licence, our officers may still visit you to confirm this."
"We also have a fleet of detector vans that can detect the use of TV receiving equipment at specifically targeted addresses within minutes."
If someone fails to buy a required TV licence, TV Licensing can prosecute the case through the courts.
Anyone found guilty can be fined up to £1,000, with magistrates also able to order additional payments such as a victim surcharge or compensation depending on where they live in the UK.
Defendants in England, Wales and the Isle of Man may also be ordered to pay prosecution costs of around £120, while different rules apply in Scotland, the Channel Islands and Northern Ireland.
This could mean that the total maximum fine and costs could reach £1,520.
Changes in TV Licence Fees Over the Years
You can be fined up to £1,000 by a court if you are caught watching or recording live TV or using BBC iPlayer without a valid TV licence.
Am I eligible for a free TV Licence?
For those of us aged 75 or over who are in receipt of Pension Credit, the TV Licence can be obtained for free.
Guidance from TV Licensing says: “Free TV Licences are only available if you’re 75 or over and you, or your partner living at the same address, are receiving Pension Credit.
“If you think you’re eligible for a free licence but can’t apply online, please call 0300 790 6117* and speak to one of our advisors to request an application form (our lines are open between 8.30am and 6.30pm, from Monday to Friday).
“Once we’ve received your application it may take a few weeks to process. If there are any problems we’ll write to let you know. We may also call you if you have given us your phone number.
Do I Need a TV Licence to Watch Netflix?
“There are separate arrangements in place for over 75s on the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.”
When do I need a TV Licence?
You do not need a TV Licence to watch:
- streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus
- on-demand TV through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video
- videos on websites like YouTube
- videos or DVDs
You do need a TV Licence if you:
- watch or record live TV on any channel or service
- use BBC iPlayer
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