Dozens of licence dodgers caught.
TELEVISION licence dodgers in Rugby were caught red-handed when officers launched a summer crackdown.A total of 36 people were caught in the town without a licence during July when officers checked householders without warning.
Instead of alerting evaders to the clampdown, officers made a point of arriving on their doorsteps at any time of the day and evening.
This operation was staged throughout Coventry and Warwickshire and 447 licence dodgers were caught - with 324 evaders found in Coventry alone.
Paul Johnston, TV Licensing's regional manager, said: "We caught the highest number of evaders in Coventry and Warwickshire so far this year.
"While we are delighted that the campaign was so successful, we are also disappointed that 447 people still thought they could get away without buying a licence.
"Evaders have no chance of escape."
TV Licensing says it has a team which works seven days a week seeking out evaders using a database of 26 million addresses, detector vans, and hand-held scanners.
Officers say they can detect whether or not a television is being used in a block of flats or student halls.
Mr Johnson added: "Anyone caught evading can expect a trip to court and a fine of up to pounds 1,000."
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| Publication: | Coventry Evening Telegraph (England) |
|---|---|
| Date: | Aug 30, 2001 |
| Words: | 205 |
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