THE BBC’s “covert surveillance” methods used to catch TV licence fee dodgers have been revealed.
The undercover techniques involve using vehicles containing “detection equipment” which can discover whether a television is being used at a property.
AlamyTV licences are required for people who watch any live television[/caption]
Contractor Capita carries out the covert methods, which are signed off by senior BBC managers.
A review into the methods by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) has now been unearthed through a Freedom of Information request by the TV Licensing Blog.
The inspection report, from 2022, says the Capita detection team “generally deploy in covert vehicles” which contain detection equipment.
It goes on: “The success rate is limited, with only a small number of deployments resulting in further enforcement action, such as the execution of a search warrant.
“This could be due to the limitations of the detection equipment, which is apparently struggling to keep up with the technological advancements in television viewing.”
Lead author of the TV Licensing Blog, Peter Jones, told the Daily Mail: “The revelation, from official sources, that the BBC’s television detection capabilities are struggling to maintain pace with evolving technology is yet another indication of how outdated, unenforceable and irrelevant the current TV licence system is.”
He added: “The sooner an alternative funding model is found for the BBC the better.”
TV licences are required for people who watch any live television, even if that is through an online streaming service, or if they watch anything on BBC’s iPlayer service.
People watching live programming using services such as Amazon Prime or ITVX still have to pay the £169.50 yearly fee.
In January this year it was revealed that nearly 130 people were being prosecuted every day for not paying the TV licence.
Thousands have been convicted and hit with fines after being hauled to court by the BBC, with many people found guilty despite suffering with crippling conditions such as cancer and dementia.
A Talk TV investigation revealed that tens of thousands of cases were being heard behind closed doors in secret courts.
The controversial system of cases being decided by a single magistrate was brought in in 2015 to speed up court hearings for low-level offences.
Ministry of Justice figures revealed there had been 47,622 prosecutions and 44,106 convictions for not paying the TV licence in the year to the end of June 2022.
Talk TV obtained legal papers revealing how people with serious illnesses were still being prosecuted despite statements to the courts to defend themselves.
One said: “I am the main carer for my wife and children who all have mental health issues.
“I am being treated for cancer myself so I have a lot to deal with at the moment.”
It was revealed earlier this year that the licence fee would be rising by £10.50 a year, meaning a new annual charge of £169.50.
The figure will rise with inflation until 2028, meaning that, if the figure continues to run at the 4.5 per cent recorded in February, then Britons could be paying nearly £200 in four years’ time.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T PAY?
Anyone who wants to watch live TV, including not just BBC programming but ITV, Sky and others, must pay for a TV licence, or will be breaking the law.
Watching live TV or catch-up through the BBC iPlayer on any device without a TV licence is a criminal offence and if you’re caught, you could be fined up to £1,000.
In Jersey the maximum fine is £500.
You can pay for your licence all in one go or spread the cost throughout the year using direct debit.
You need a TV licence if you’re watching any programmes live on any online service.
That includes shows on ITVX, Channel 4, Amazon Prime Video, Now or Sky Go, as well as on BBC iPlayer.
You won’t need to pay a fee if you watch on demand programmes, unless it’s on BBC iPlayer.