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07/02/2003
Belfast tops TV licence ‘league of shame’
Belfast was named and shamed today after coming out top in TV Licensing’s annual Northern Ireland League of Shame, as a record 20,452 evaders were caught throughout the region without a TV licence in 2002.
The League of Shame exposes the towns and cities where TV Licensing has successfully caught high numbers of evaders and Belfast heads the list after recording 4,732 TV licence dodgers caught in the last 12 months.
Following close behind were Craigavon and Newry with respectively 2,187 and 1,510 evaders caught last year. In fourth position was Londonderry where there was a massive 435% increase in the number of licence dodgers caught in 2002, compared to the previous year.
Pat McParland, Spokesperson for TV Licensing commented: “This is perhaps the only league where it’s good to be relegated. Evaders in Belfast, Craigavon and Newry are the biggest losers because they have been caught breaking the law. It is unfair to the majority of people who have bought a licence that this unwanted accolade has been awarded to their area.
“The consolation for those who do pay is the knowledge that all those who are caught risk an appearance in court, a fine of up to £1,000, and court costs as well as the price of a licence. It is a tough penalty to pay.”
With 92% of the UK already paying their licence these latest results demonstrate a continued commitment to crack down on wilful evaders. Last year saw a range of activities both on and off the ground which included an educational programme to highlight not only the rules regarding the need for a TV licence, but also giving out the clear message that people breaking the law would be caught.
TV Licensing operates a database of over 26 million UK addresses, which can identify in seconds whether a property is licensed. An enforcement team of enquiry officers across the country have access to detection equipment including vans and handheld scanners for traditionally hard-to-reach block of flats.
Each year the TV licence fee raises £2.4 billion for the BBC.
(MB)
The League of Shame exposes the towns and cities where TV Licensing has successfully caught high numbers of evaders and Belfast heads the list after recording 4,732 TV licence dodgers caught in the last 12 months.
Following close behind were Craigavon and Newry with respectively 2,187 and 1,510 evaders caught last year. In fourth position was Londonderry where there was a massive 435% increase in the number of licence dodgers caught in 2002, compared to the previous year.
Pat McParland, Spokesperson for TV Licensing commented: “This is perhaps the only league where it’s good to be relegated. Evaders in Belfast, Craigavon and Newry are the biggest losers because they have been caught breaking the law. It is unfair to the majority of people who have bought a licence that this unwanted accolade has been awarded to their area.
“The consolation for those who do pay is the knowledge that all those who are caught risk an appearance in court, a fine of up to £1,000, and court costs as well as the price of a licence. It is a tough penalty to pay.”
With 92% of the UK already paying their licence these latest results demonstrate a continued commitment to crack down on wilful evaders. Last year saw a range of activities both on and off the ground which included an educational programme to highlight not only the rules regarding the need for a TV licence, but also giving out the clear message that people breaking the law would be caught.
TV Licensing operates a database of over 26 million UK addresses, which can identify in seconds whether a property is licensed. An enforcement team of enquiry officers across the country have access to detection equipment including vans and handheld scanners for traditionally hard-to-reach block of flats.
Each year the TV licence fee raises £2.4 billion for the BBC.
(MB)
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28 January 2010
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Thousands more viewers were caught watching TV without a licence across the UK in the past year. TV Licensing today revealed that more than 417,000 people were detected and said this included more than 20,070 people in Northern Ireland, 6,500 of whom were in Belfast.
TV Licence Evaders Are Targeted
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15 August 2006
Belfast rates eighth in TV license evasion
Belfast has today been named as one of the worst cities in the UK for television license evasion. Almost 3,000 people have been caught watching TV without a licence in the city over the past six months, putting it eighth in the national league of shame – up two places from last year.
Belfast rates eighth in TV license evasion
Belfast has today been named as one of the worst cities in the UK for television license evasion. Almost 3,000 people have been caught watching TV without a licence in the city over the past six months, putting it eighth in the national league of shame – up two places from last year.
01 February 2012
More Than 15,000 People In NI Caught Without TV Licence
More than 15,000 people in Northern Ireland were caught watching TV without a valid licence last year. This includes more than 4,600 in Belfast, 1,090 in Derry and 1,030 in Newry and Craigavon. Farimah Darbyshire, TV Licensing spokesperson, said: "TV viewing is as popular as ever, with the percentage of households who have a television set at 96.
More Than 15,000 People In NI Caught Without TV Licence
More than 15,000 people in Northern Ireland were caught watching TV without a valid licence last year. This includes more than 4,600 in Belfast, 1,090 in Derry and 1,030 in Newry and Craigavon. Farimah Darbyshire, TV Licensing spokesperson, said: "TV viewing is as popular as ever, with the percentage of households who have a television set at 96.
26 January 2011
Over 20,000 Caught With Unlicensed TV
TV Licensing today revealed that more than 20,000 people were caught watching the box without a licence in Northern Ireland in 2010. This includes more than 5,700 in Belfast, more than 1,370 in Newry, more than 1,300 in Craigavon and more than 1,140 in Dungannon.
Over 20,000 Caught With Unlicensed TV
TV Licensing today revealed that more than 20,000 people were caught watching the box without a licence in Northern Ireland in 2010. This includes more than 5,700 in Belfast, more than 1,370 in Newry, more than 1,300 in Craigavon and more than 1,140 in Dungannon.
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