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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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