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.

The total figure of license evaders in Northern Ireland over the same period is just over 10,000 – which works out at around 50-people a day being caught.

Deborah King from TV Licensing today said that people who do not yet have a licence should get one as soon as possible, as offenders are being caught.

She said: "Our results across the region show just how effective we are at tracking down those people who try to get away with watching TV without a valid licence," she said.

"We have a database of more than 28 million addresses, allowing us to focus our visiting on properties which have no record of a TV licence.

"The results show how successful we've been at pinpointing those who don't pay in Belfast and right across Northern Ireland.

"The message couldn't be clearer to the minority without a licence: watch out, as we're out on your streets catching evaders."

People who are caught watching without a license, could face a fine of up to £1,000.

A licence for a colour TV currently costs £131.50, while a black and white TV licence costs £44.

The top ten list of license evading areas in Northern Ireland, are: Belfast with 2,806; Derry with 896; Newry 679; Craigavon 558; Ballymena 361; Armagh 327; Lisburn 318; Newtownards 312; Antrim 305 and Dungannon 301.

(EF)