Hundreds caught watching TV without licence in Dartford and Gravesend (From News Shopper)

Hundreds caught watching TV without licence in Dartford and Gravesend

9:11am Thursday 16th February 2012 in News By Alan Woods

THE number of homeowners caught watching their television without a licence in Gravesend and Dartford increased in 2011.

TV Licensing clamped down on residents breaking the law, detecting 705 television-users illegally watching their set in Gravesend, a rise of 89 since the previous year.

In Dartford, a total of 446 viewers were caught showing an increase of 67 from 2010.

TV Licensing spokesperson Farimah Darbyshire said: “TV viewing is as popular as ever with the percentage of households with a television set at 97 per cent - it’s our role to make sure everyone is aware of when they need to be covered by a licence.

“On behalf of licence fee payers, we’re committed to tackling evasion and enforcing the law amongst the small minority who should pay but don’t - it’s only fair.”

Homeowners caught watching television without a licence are given the opportunity to pay but failure to do so after the first warning can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.