Warning issued for TV License vans as fees may increase

You could face fines if you're caught watching illegally

“Some aspects of the equipment have been developed in such secrecy that engineers working on specific detection methods work in isolation - so not even they know how the other detection methods work”, the company added.

The organisation also has a database of 31 million licensed and unlicensed addresses, which is readily accessible to any of its visiting officers.

These detector vans can “detect the use of TV receiving equipment at specifically targeted addresses within minutes”.

A total of 28,542 were prosecuted for avoiding the TV licence fee, in the year ending June 2024.

And you could face a hefty fine of £1,000 and potentially end up in court, if you're caught watching, recording or downloading any programmes illegally.

You need a licence if you watch or record live TV programmes on any device, such as a television, desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile phones.

This also applies if you use BBC iPlayer, whether for live TV or catch-up programmes.

But when you don’t need a TV licence is if you're using other streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, or YouTube.

That is, unless you're watching live programmes through these services.