TV licence evasion on the increase
MORE people in the Bay are watching TV without a licence.
Figures released today show that 315 households in Torquay have evaded the licence so far this year — a 26 per cent increase on last year's figures.
Torquay has some of the worst figures in the South West.
At the top is Bristol with 2,419, Plymouth is second with 1,035 and Exeter is fifth with 364.
Warren Carr, TV Licensing spokesman for the South West, said: "Evaders come from all income groups, but we understand that in the current economic climate some people may find it difficult to pay their licence fee in one go.
"This is why we provide numerous ways to spread the cost, including monthly Direct Debit, which can be set up very quickly online, and a weekly cash payment plan."
A colour TV licence currently costs £142.50 and is required by anyone watching or recording TV programmes as they are broadcast on a TV set, computer or any other equipment. Anyone not holding a TV licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
About 5,000 more licence fee evaders were caught in the UK during the first six months of 2009 compared to the same period last year.
The average evasion rate is more than five per cent, meaning that almost 95 per cent of properties are correctly licensed.
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by Loon, Torbay
Friday, August 07 2009, 8:26AM
“Julian, Theoretically you a right, but I'm sure that the Licensing People have probably been given lists of all "new build" houses and send a "To the Occupier" letter to them - they probably check up on any new build addresses that do not respond after a given time.”
by Julian, Torquay
Thursday, August 06 2009, 8:09PM
“geoff, Torquay your on something right?
So if we all theoretically buy a brand new house that has not had a tv registered to it and buy a tv off a car boot or ebay and same with a set top box then we all could watch tv for free forever as they will never check..bleh bleh bleh”
by Gareth, Somewhere hiding in Plainmoor!!
Thursday, August 06 2009, 4:02PM
“I dont have a license, never have, never will. Bleh!!!”
by The Observer, Somewhere
Thursday, August 06 2009, 11:54AM
“I watch TV on my computer, iPlayer, and loads more from all over the world, do I need a TV licence?
I have a TV licence, not too sure if any of the rubbish on there is worth paying for.
What is this story really about is it a scare story issued by the TV Licensing people and issued to the press to fill spaces and increase revenue, it is strange that this story is on several different newspapers online in the same group as this paper.”
by geoff, Torquay
Thursday, August 06 2009, 11:15AM
“P.S. If the BBC refrained from giving the likes of Jonathan Woss salaries approaching £6M a year, something like the value of 42,000 licence fees they would not be asking for £142/year!
Free TV for all!!!”