Reports are circulating on social media that a UK wide crackdown on TV licence dodgers is underway.
We’ve had several reports ourselves of TV licence officials at the doors of Lanarkshire residents during the last week. Some issuing warnings, others sent packing. The actual use and effectiveness in detecting unlicensed TV watching is controversial and not widely documented.
Under current UK rules, a TV licence is required if you watch or record live television on any channel or service, or if you use BBC iPlayer. The UK government’s official guidance states: “You need a TV Licence if you: watch or record live TV on any channel or service; use BBC iPlayer.”
The timing of this comes when the future of the licence fee and how to watch BBC is up for debate and change.
