Is TV Licensing Harassing you? How to STOP TV Licence Officers visiting your address.

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[@wearemany73]

Bullying people to pay for state sponsored media is disgusting.

[@lucyelkins7731]

NORTH KOREA 😂 and they wonder why we have conspiracy theories 😂 it's fucking TORY MIND CONTROL 🤣

[@rolfnilsen6385]

Fun fact - Norway removed the licensing scheme where you could opt-out by not having a TV. Politicians just increased the taxes instead so you have no opt-out financially. Now the same group of people wants to change the law so the tax-man can go 10 years back and look at your bank account or other financial information with no process or court being involved. Just like that. So consider the options on the table in the UK.

[@drunkenhobo8020]

@@lucyelkins7731 Yeah it's always funny when people call the BBC "left" when literally every person at the top is a hand-picked Tory!

[@Smurfis]

That no one watches nor trusts anymore

[@keychainere]

Don’t use it then. They only bully people who use the service without paying. I’ve stopped for years now streaming is a thing and weirdly don’t get “harassed”. Person moaning because they use a service but don’t want to pay for it yet still claim they’re a victim doesn’t have a ring to it though.

[@GlastoGeek7]

It is harassment, pure and simple. Bullying, scaring people into buying a license. Why should you tell them you don't need a license? End these scandalous tactics now!!!

[@bretton_woods]

I enjoy collecting the letters and I look forward to getting a new one every month. Especially when it's got new wording on it or they used a different colour ink. They use 3 different colours of envelope too which is pretty cool. I have 10 years worth ... ps. I don't watch any of that rubbish, and i never will. But why the heck do i need to tell them that.

[@familyhelpdeskhelpdesk270]

​@@bretton_woodsI don't collect them, I cross out the address and slap them back in the mail. Costs them money to Harass me.

[@Onyourbiketoo]

@@bretton_woods Why don't you stop being a total pick and just pop on line, tell them you don’t watch live tv or iplayer. It’s the polite way to behave in society. Simple as.

[@Pattoe]

That's the thing, you don't NEED to tell them. There's 0 legal requirement for you to hand over your data. They just threateningly tell you that you should. Fuck them.

[@mikepxg6406]

But you watch live TV. !!!

[@SweetSassyBull]

I REALLY WISH THAT EVERYONE IN THE UK WOULD STOP WATCHING LIVE TV AND CANCEL THEIR TV LICENCES.

[@chrisphipps8169]

So do I

[@Hawkwinter13]

i havent watched TV, or paid for a TV License in my entire life, i keep getting letters stating they are going to investigate but visiting my address, i just dont respond, they have been sending letters for nearly a year, so im just waiting for them to turn up. i have nothing to hide, but i just get fed up with the constant letters even after i have stated i dont need a license.. they've threatened me several times with investigations, and an officer due to turn up, but they still havent turned up to knock on my door. so until they do im simply not having any communication with them.

[@metallboy25]

​@@Hawkwinter13It seems they mainly visit the property of people who used to pay for it but then cancelled. From what ive seen people who never had a licence just keep getting letters.

[@Hawkwinter13]

@@metallboy25 maybe I should file for harassment 🤣

[@balvinderaccary9682]

​@@Hawkwinter13yes I have been threaten and they give dates of when they are going to come to catch me watching tv, I just ignore them as I don't watch bbc or any TV for that matter. 😅

[@Dr.Gunsmith]

Tesco is getting a warrant for the cops to kick my door In because I shop at Aldi 😂 No difference from what the BBC are doing.

[@keithad6485]

How can a commercial company, which is not an enforcement agency convince a court to issue a warrant? I am intrigued.

[@darrenburns16]

literally mate... walking into tesco- and being forced to buy something you don't want before you leave, just because it exists- absolute bastards the TV Leches

[@highjim7778]

Thats right bitch! how DARE you ignore the clubcard deals!

[@highjim7778]

@@darrenburns16you MUST BUY MY SHIT YOU BASTARDS!

[@wearemany73]

Me too Aldi kick my door in with a bill for shopping 🛒 that I’ve not had then kick my teeth in for not enjoying their products.

[@geoffwells6724]

I don't understand why as I don't have a fishing license, I don't get harassed by the Environment Agency for not having one. You shouldn't have to keep telling them that you don't want or need a license! So if you tell them and they keep writing, threatening and visiting surely this is harassment!

[@davecooper3238]

Can’t see the problem. They were told don’t do anything that needs a TV licence. They check every couple of years & that’s it.

[@parapilot4694]

@@davecooper3238 Lucky you. Thats not been my experience. See Parapilot comment above

[@davecooper3238]

@@parapilot4694 Years of experience leads me to believe anyone who keeps getting letters only has themselves to blame.

[@phoenixdundee]

Do you keep fishing gear in various rooms of your house and carry fishing gear with you at all times? If you did then there is a possibility you may be fishing.

[@Mog435]

@@davecooper3238I cancelled my license over three years ago and had it refunded. I get a letter off them at least once every six weeks if I was an old lady I would probably be quite stressed . It is a big problem!

[@Godonstilts]

I wrote them a letter saying words to the effect of "I revoke the right for you to cross my property and approach my door. If you feel the need to visit and conduct a search, I expect you will have a warrant. Without such an item, I expect you will never darken my presence again. I also revoke permission for any further communications, and any such unsolicited mail shall be enforced with a £25 Administration fee, payable within 30 days - cheques made payable to "CASH" at this address. Further communications from you are acceptance of these terms" They did write back, but it was not a aggressive template - instead it just said "We can't accept your admin fee terms, however we will note you on the system as you no longer need a licence and stop any further communications" I consider that a win.

[@THEEGGMANwooooo]

This is a written removal of implied right of access and has in the past been used to obtain a search warrant for your house, they’re a law unto themselves and it has to stop

[@richardevans560]

@@THEEGGMANwooooo I doubt very much they got a search warrant for that, they only get a coupld of hundred warrants a year. In some areas the magistrates have refused to give ANY warrants to tv licencing

[@THEEGGMANwooooo]

@@richardevans560 doubt it, believe it, I’m just saying it so he’s aware of the risk. Some areas may not, others may. My personal experience is that WROIRA is sometimes used to gain a search warrant

[@gaylelowe2103]

I hope you sent them the admin charge and harassed them with letters until they paid

[@THEEGGMANwooooo]

@@richardevans560 There are some instances where this HAS been used to obtain a search warrant. I’m not saying that it will always result in that, just that it’s a risk, however large, to be considered

[@keithad6485]

I am amazed that the UK still has TV licencing! Here in Australia, TV licences were abolished over fifty years ago.

[@Marsand100]

Main method of spreading government propaganda

[@Greenman1975-o3q]

Because this country is a rip off woke country. They make too much money out of the hard-working people to scrap it. BBC are scum. 😡😡

[@luke5436]

Sounds like we didn’t ship out all of our criminals to Oz after all… some stayed to work at the BBC. 😂

[@brblife6316]

💀💀😅🤣​@@luke5436

[@davarosmith1334]

We don't pay it , it's only gullible people who still pay it!

[@Osafune2]

Never pay the tv licence. It’s your moral obligation

[@christinedavis5813]

Yes I see it that way too

[@Joshuk1984]

Imagine if a salesman from Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime was on your doorstep demanding money out of you for simply having their apps installed on your devices. They'd be up in court on extortion charges. Why should the BBC be allowed to get away with it?

[@jmaitland5709]

Not even having their apps on your devices, for owning a device that's capable of installing the apps.

[@AzguardMike]

that Smart TV you got there COULD receive Netflix, your fined. Thats how the BBC goons act with the Iplayer.

[@smallfeet4581]

BBC itv , all TV is tripe , better off with a book or kindle , dvd if you want a movie or netflix or similar

[@esolthailand7439]

Exactly, or if the onus somehow fell legally on you to have to fill out a form every two years and send it to Netflix to say that you still don't want any of their media and there hasn't 'been a mistake' and you do not watch Netflix nor do you want them to come knocking on your door so you have removed their implied right of access etc. Have said the same thing thing myself a few times in recent years. No TV at my house, I'm not 'dodging' anything. End of.

[@robburrows2737]

For the same reason Saville and other nonces have been enabled by them.

[@gherkamum]

The BBC TV Licence is the most unfair and unjust Tax there is and must be ABOLISHED.

[@ek8710]

I dunno, the inheritance tax is pretty high up there in terms of unjust taxes

[@Phucket24]

The BBC are on a slow decline regarding TV License fee, mainly because as the baby boomers die the next generation just don’t watch tv in the same way as baby boomers. Therefore no license fees will be paid and unless the bbc think of of changing their business model now, it will in future just disappear

[@kathydean3313]

I am getting rid of my TV.when my current licence expires . I have been.looking at ways to pay for heating this winter and that will help a bit.

[@G3NX3SiS]

​@@kathydean3313You don't have to get rid of your TV itself. I haven't paid TV license in years because I don't have channels and just watch Netflix etc and game, which I've told TV license and never get any trouble

[@kathydean3313]

@@G3NX3SiS Don't you havr to pay for Neflix etc though

[@jakey1995abc]

Wow, I never realised that harassment is okay as long as you give your victim a way to "opt out".

[@cdeford2]

They're very good at writing laws that let them steal your money. Allowing them to demand money with menaces is just one example.

[@brolohalflemming7042]

Or it's never actually been tested and anyone's tried charging the BBC with harrassment. If I had the money to spare, I'd probably try this. Especially as they open new investigations on my property every month and have been for well over a decade. As they have sophisticated detection equipment, I would argue that the lack of evidence and prosecution strongly suggests that their investigations find no evidence of any offence. Thus telling me I'm being investigated every month is both pointless and harrassment. I'm also curious if people have challenged evidence that's used to obtain warrants. It seemed as though withdrawing the right of access might trigger a warrant, but surely more evidence of an offence would be needed than just the BBC feeling ignored.

[@englishciderlover7347]

Being a government agency (or acting on behalf of one) allows you to get away with murder.

[@DMC888]

Well, the BBC themselves had an easy way to opt out of Alex Bellfield’s harassment emails. They chose not to block them, but to store them and eventually use them as evidence.

[@dh2032]

and taking opt out option just puts on the top of the list for a visit, (like way they use the word visit, sound like some biscuits and cakes in then) 🙂 maybe we should take reference from this time of year, and old eggs, and plenty tricks at the ready, for entertaining your visitors 🙂

[@Randy_Batswinger]

For vulnerable people this is a nightmare.

[@lindasharp8523]

Pop the letter in the recycle bin

[@DenBlackburn]

So true, im terminal and they tried it on with me yesterday, I have put on here part of what went on, but I did have a great afternoon ;)

[@irenemorley75]

@@DenBlackburn It doesn't matter, being ill doesn't mean you don't need a licence, did you pay your gas and electric ?, if you need a licence you need one, if you don't then it's okay.

[@DenBlackburn]

@@irenemorley75 I never said that being ill exempts you from a license, not watching or recording their s**t does exempt you from having to buy into the, pedo, strangely perverted, Auntie institution.

[@benevans5012]

​​@@irenemorley75It's the psychological harassment against people that don't meet the criteria for needing a license, that is the problem.

[@SimonLloydGuitar]

Just ignore them. It's THAT simple. Don't open the door, don't answer questions, don't talk, don't reply, don't write, don't answer.

[@lindasharp8523]

Absolutely

[@aJarrowLad525]

Personally I send the letter s back it’s free post. To send back never had a tv for 15 years best thing I ever did Never had a Christmas card lof them yet ha ha

[@scottbryant27]

just call them and let know and stop it all no letter and no stress.

[@jakubbercik6965]

​@@scottbryant27 clearly you don't live in the UK, it's not that simple.

[@activebryantsystems215]

​@@jakubbercik6965 I am 100 %

[@mitchmitchell7470]

I removed my implied right of access 13 years ago, never had a problem and been licensed free for that time. On a professional basis as an expert witness for the courts, I categorically believe that NO detection equipment exists and it is being used as a ploy to increase pressure upon the household.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

As a former Postie, I can confirm that the equipment inside those vans is for show. Many Years ago, the detector vans were driven by Posties as we knew all the local streets. The TV license man sat in the back calling out unlicensed addresses, from a printed list he had on a clipboard; which we drove to and he would go only, to those doors and tell them, they'd been detected watching TV without a license and most either paid up then or got a license the next day. They mostly did this in the evenings when people were at home, watching tv.

[@themisspultone]

@@Thurgosh_OG ay old sceptic knuckles did it to me back when I was a student. Told him dont have a TV had sent the paperwork in and to bugger off, if he wants in he needed a warrant.

[@bretton_woods]

@@Thurgosh_OG sounds like something out of a comedy sketch! Or North Korea. Amazing how easily people can be fooled

[@jackwaycombe]

Sadly, that's not 100% true any longer. If your TV is connected to the internet, and most are these days, you can count on the fact it's phoning home, if not actually listening to every word you say. Same goes if you don't own that monster in the corner because you can access TV on other devices. They call them 'cookies', but they're effectively peeping toms.

[@mrlegkick91]

​@jackwaycombe so they can detect an Internet connection... how the hell do they know its going to a TV?

[@nicola646]

The whole TV Licensing thingy sounds like an abuse of power.

[@michaelryan2562]

It’s robbery by the system

[@anonnona8099]

@nicola646 > The whole TV Licensing thingy sounds like an abuse of power Any other laws which you consider an abuse of power?

[@Pik871229]

I do understand that council tax is an obligation for the sake of public services, but not TV license even you are not a big fan of BBC and still have to pay

[@LivingLegendMe]

@@Pik871229 Council tax is illegal. Councils rely on threats and legal jargon, but as you have no contract with them, they cannot enforce payment.

[@deanosaur808]

@LivingLegendMe that won't wash in court 😉

[@deniseneal9216]

I wouldn't watch the BBC if they paid me!

[@josemacedo2023]

😂😂😂Same here

[@skathwoelya2935]

Ditto! Never have!

[@ruthjohnson5137]

Me neither

[@carolinejohnson22]

Biased garbage, and l presume it still is....🙄💰

[@LivingLegendMe]

Pretty bad these days, and the news is now is something out of Idocracy.

[@hunterb9273]

My local chip shop knocked on my door and said I owed them money for chips. I never ordered any chips but they said they are following the BBC business plan, they assume if you don't tell them you don't want chips you must want chips.

[@yooochoooob]

🤣👍

[@deb1587]

😂

[@itsallgood8347]

I actually want chips now.

[@Mog435]

@@itsallgood8347 you might need a license be careful 😇

[@darrenburns16]

i think you are lying.. you walked passed that chip shop, looked at the menu, kept on walking, and refused to pay for nothing. they have everyright to charge you for the chips... tut tut 😆😆😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bikeman123]

Got to love how the BBC sees itself as a global service provider and provides iplayer etc for free to everyone except those in the UK.

[@davecooper3238]

Have you tried watching BBC iPlayer in Europe ? Trying normally brings up a message saying. Content not available in this territory. That even applies for people with a UK BBC account. Can’t answer for the rest of the world.

[@kynkokytsumi1931]

My phone google account for some reason said i was in USA and wouldnt let me change it so i couldnt install iplayer as it thought i was in USA ... now its sorted i can install iplayer again

[@mickeythompson9537]

They don't - it's very hard to watch or listen to iPlayer from outside UK.

[@davecooper3238]

@@kynkokytsumi1931 Good to hear your phone is now fixed.

[@lolocaust4967]

@@mickeythompson9537 Yes they do, familiar with VPN's ? On top of that they run channels in countries like America with BBC America, and WE pay for it!

[@TomBradshaw-ot9zb]

Somebody needs to gather tv licencing victims and sue tv licencing in a massive lawsuit, the way they do in the usa

[@lucyelkins7731]

​@trixiek942nice one mate I totally agree the people in this country are just sheep waiting in cue's and they can't even see it the government are just taking the piss and we just take it🤪 Im fucking pissed off 😂

[@Euphoftoday]

TV licensing is not a company. Capita business services is the company.

[@stevenwallacebaker9169]

@@Euphoftoday and surprise surprise,who is the second biggest shareholder of Capita? Blackrock ! Blackrock (and Vanguard)is the foundation of everything bad on the planet.

[@Interknetz]

Would be nice honestly. We need more of an uproar about TV licensing!

[@TheJpf79]

​​@trixiek942Yeah they only bankrupt you for being sick. Super smart aren't they...

[@109-w7v]

The TV licence is a disgrace. Don’t pay it.

[@Liliwen1]

That was very clear, thank you. I cancelled my tv licence two years ago via the proper channels and heard no more until last week, the second anniversary of my cancellation. I re submitted my declaration that I do not need a tv licence and assume that another two years should elapse before the next ‘reminder’. My only complaint is during the process of declaring I do not require their services, I was informed in no uncertain terms that someone may visit me ‘to check’. That made me want to bite a puppies ear… I’m still seething a week later. I almost want a sales person to visit me ‘to check’… it won’t end well…

[@eddiecobbett]

Years ago I told them I do not own a TV and even allowed the enforcement guy in to confirm that. I was told at the time that 2 years is how long it will be before they put you back on the mailing list.

[@batintheattic7293]

Oh Liliwen, me too. I know how you feel. We have to keep our indignation contained, though, whatever they do to us. An overly robust reaction might be second on the list of what they can 'inconvenience' us with.

[@Bushkin84]

​@@eddiecobbettnever let them in your house

[@TheManLab7]

NEVER let them in your property! There's no such thing as a detection van. It's just a scare tactics, just like the threatening letters everyone gets.

[@aaron.biketrials]

Or just tell them you don’t watch bbc, simple. I’ve not been bothered in over 20 years 😂🤣

[@malcolmstarkey1062]

I just ask any caller to them to identify themselves and company, they either will ID themselves or ask you to ID yourself, either way I just so no thanks.

[@malcolmstarkey1062]

Actually filling in the correct paper work via internet I had my first letter 4 weeks later and regular ever since plus 3 actual visits and one visit when nobody home. I am guessing you don’t get chased because they know your YT channel and your position as a Barrister.

[@ppo2424]

They'll get a warrant and can force entry, and that's where the police come in if you resist. You're going to lose mate.

[@pioruns]

@@ppo2424 Don't listen do this government shill. Force entry to do what? Inspect my TV? hahahaha

[@stevea4771]

I have quite a stack of letters in my draw. I've been told I'm being investigated to getting a visit back to being investigated and back to getting a visit....oh and some IN01 letters. I watch no live broadcast TV so do not need a license. Amazingly no other company chases you for not using or not wanting thier services.

[@caolkyle]

And I bet during their months/years of 'investigation' they still address you as 'Legal occupier'

[@stephenbaker7079]

'Drawer', not Draw! Licence not 'License', unless you're an American, Their, not 'Thier'.

[@johnnyonenote376]

@@stephenbaker7079 Pedant not pendant...

[@caolkyle]

@@stephenbaker7079 what difference dose (intentional) it make? You still understood the message.

[@barumman]

​@@stephenbaker7079 Smart arse.

[@coot1925]

There's a perfectly simple reason why no evidence from a "TV detector van" has ever been used in court. As an electronics buff I can tell you that a TV is a receiver, not a transmitter & therefor does not give off any signal for a detector van to receive. Or in other words, it's scare mongering bollocks.

[@munromobile6539]

Jimmy Savile did well from the TV licence fee !

[@davecooper3238]

Jimmy Savile was widely trusted. He also had his own bedroom & open access even sets of keys to more than one NHS hospital.

[@miniward9182]

Yes and I recently met a Nurse who remembers having to lock windows &doors because HE Jimmy Saville was around👀0n the prowl. I was shocked at that info in 2024 ……. Being over 80yr old and the ex nurse over 50yr.

[@jasoncooper9391]

BBC paedophile protecting Filth

[@LivingLegendMe]

And from his pal Charlie.

[@pamelagaull3928]

And Huw Edwards. I cancelled my TV Licence DD. I wish I had years ago. Scum of the earth living off our Licence payments. Just don’t watch live TV. Plenty on Catchup of other channels, Netflix, Amazon Prime and KZbin.

[@G4WYZ]

The letter you receive from the TV licensing, the tone of the letter makes you feel like a criminal in not having a Television licence.

[@zog97xy]

Don't read them then! just shred the offending things.

[@ellvee4261]

I stopped paying them years ago and every time they send that offensive letter out they get the same response. I haven't watched TV in years, but my biggest issue is probably the same as most people....since when did the BBC start owning the internet?

[@WolfHeathen]

@@ellvee4261 That's what we in Sweden said when our government tried to pull the same BS on us. Our Supreme Court put them in their place and said that the internet isn't specifically made for watching TV or listening to radio, so therefor the government has no right demanding a licensing fee for its use. Computer monitors are also not considered televisions (even though they can be used for this purpose) since that's not their primary intended use. Same goes for mobile phones with commercial radio capabilities.

[@ellvee4261]

@@WolfHeathen Glad to hear that not all governments or companies are a law onto themselves and that the judicial system still works. In the UK I don't get why the population still think that a TV licence is an official requirement to posses, but as noted in a lot of these comments threads at least the right questions are being asked, and finally, some legal advice as to the subtle but important play on words employed by these 'representatives' of the licence fee chasers.

[@andrewbush3744]

I agree IAM going to make you laugh I once had a letter I owe 5p it cost 80p to send the letter

[@jasonleigh4938]

Got our first threatening letter today. I look forward to many many more. I haven't watched tv for years. I own one for films and gaming and thats it.

[@SteveCockneyRebel]

Their letters are causing harm & distress, surely this is illegal when we have the right to remain silent

[@Hugh.G.Rectionx]

they have the right to send you letters.

[@ParanoimiaUK]

I completed the "no licence required" form in September 2020. The issue I have is that... that should be it. You've told them you don't need one, end of. For me, it becomes harassment when they keep writing to you every 2 years. No, I've told you I don't need one, that's it. If and when I need a licence, _I_ will contact _you_ - until then, stop assuming I'm a criminal and leave me the hell alone.

[@danhaines]

The thing is, you shouldn't need to provide personal details and let them know you're not breaking the Law. You should be allowed to not provide personal details and simply state that a licence isn't required. I don't agree with the concept anyway. I don't have to phone the Police every week to let them know I haven't been speeding, so why should I have to advise someone else when I'm not breaking the Law, outside of a court setting.

[@ppo2424]

But you are

[@s1lverproph3t28]

The issue you've got is you're still giving them the information for their system. Just don't bother with them. No matter what they say or other people tell you it is not law. You're not obligated to pay

[@s1lverproph3t28]

​@@ppo2424you've strayed away from the herd. Think you should get back in your lane

[@AzguardMike]

Call them, tell them you dont need one. Dont confirm anything, even your name. Personally I dont even call them, did it once and told them they have no right to contact me again. If they try to enter, we'd respond accordingly and take it as an attempted forced entry. When one eventually tried, it led to a complicated trial.

[@kalpat5753]

My late uncle (94 years of age) was resident in a care home and the home had a TV licence and each room where a TV was installed paid the required fee, however he still received letters from these disgraceful people demanding he pay a full TV licence. I had POE and was dealing with this on his behalf and getting nowhere with them. It only stopped when he sadly passed away and they were informed. The BBC and their enforcement outfit must spend millions on their actions and the sooner the TV licence is abolished the better. I won't hold my breath waiting for our MPs voting to abolish it though.

[@anonnona8099]

@kalpat5753 > the sooner the TV licence is abolished the better. Wrong.

[@englishciderlover7347]

@@anonnona8099 Don't you want to see ALL broadcasters playing by the same rules? I do.

[@Mog435]

@@englishciderlover7347 If they abolish the licence fee people like me who don’t need one will end up paying for it indirectly. Probably via council tax as rest assured the bbc will never be subscription only as that would be the end of them , and government relies on them to help spread the fear and lies to control the sheeple.

[@englishciderlover7347]

@@Mog435 I know that's what will happen if enough people cancel their licences, but all broadcasters OUGHT to play by the same rules.

[@Mog435]

@@englishciderlover7347 unfortunately the bbc are not a run of the mill broadcaster , far from it they are interlinked with government . A useful tool for sewing seeds to brainwash the masses on numerous topics !

[@Davefacestation]

You should make an offer to represent someone for free in one of these cases just to cover how it actually plays out. I think people would love it.

[@johnhall4851]

Im a retired police officer and cancelled my tv licence 5 years ago. For 2 years i got a threatening and disgusting letter every month. The wording was qlarming. On 2 occassions i had these crooks at my door. I had made it quite clear several times to cease this harassment. The ignored my demand. As a police officer i have had to prosecute public for such behaviour. Why do bbc tv licence get immunity from criminal law?

[@TwoBassed]

Proof that who you know is more important than what you know!

[@lindasharp8523]

Threats that's all they are. Do not comply or even associate.

[@JasonWalker-f9b]

It's a TAX !

[@HansDelbruck53]

My condolences on being qlarmed.

[@TwoBassed]

@@johnhall4851 - They shouldn’t, because they too have to abide by the same laws as everyone else! You might want to ask your ex boss why they allow them to use intimidation without any comeback!

[@kevinhammond9864]

It annoys me no end that justice is dished out very quickly in one direction but if wrong is done to a citizen it takes years, the justice system is very weighted 😡

[@kevinhammond9864]

Also if I were to write letters like this to any business or individual I would end up sharing a cell with Alex Belfield 🙄

[@Euphoftoday]

All that you see is fiction. Judges work for banks,the banking system has cells to cage people that don't do what they're told. The banking system is full of criminals, but there are a small percentage of people like me that are exposing their practices and being successful in suing for breach of data.

[@stevenwallacebaker9169]

the planning system is even worse.

[@richyjay330]

Bit like Council Tax.

[@Antibackgroundnoise]

For social experiment my sister have to wear a "the BBC are doing their best" T-shirt for 2 weeks and see how people react. So far she's been spat on and had a book thrown at her. I'm curious to see what happens when she goes outside 🤔

[@marklodge1918]

😂😂🤣

[@allanmason3201]

Her treatment clearly says something about the character of people who hate the BBC.

[@xkueen]

that's a disgusting joke. I hope you don't actually have a sister.

[@daviddarcy-ewing6185]

I’m a miserable get, but that made me laugh out loud.

[@travalingman2387]

😂😂

[@tufftaff661]

I used to work for the BBC they don't have TV dictator vans what they do is send out a outside broadcasting van to freak people out

[@Cortinaman63]

Remember the old TV Detector van adverts on the BBC, back in the 1970's, they showed a Commer van with an antenna on the roof, they had the van at Television Center, White City, parked up around the back, and it was a "Prop" vehicle, used and kitted out for filming the advertisement, a BBC engineer also confirmed to me back in those days when I asked if it was real, that it was indeed not, and just full of normal BBC technical stuff to make it look like it worked to fool people, and there was not any way they could tell what channel, or production was being watched, as claimed in the ads, or indeed if a TV was even being used.,the whole thing was a con to frighten people to pay, that other wise might not. It is also worth remembering the BBC are "not" an independent Broadcaster, they are owned and run by the Government, and do dictate what version of a news story the public see, and can do that at any time they wish, (any party can, and all do, that are in the 4 year term, and what the type of content they wish to push in normal drama, with regard to some views expressed in them, or indeed cancel some shows they do not approve of, and the government also own at least one of what used to be called ITV stations, to ensure if they say and show something, then all the other independent stations will follow along with it, and broadcast the same line of content, all rather simple, when you know how it works, and they have been doing it from the start of the BBC , they also control news paper content too in the same way.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

@@Cortinaman63 As a former Postie, I can confirm that the equipment inside those vans is for show. Many Years ago, the detector vans were driven by Posties as we knew all the local streets. The TV license man sat in the back calling out unlicensed addresses, from a printed list he had on a clipboard; which we drove to and he would go only, to those doors and tell them, they'd been detected watching TV without a license and most either paid up then or got a license the next day. They mostly did this in the evenings when people were at home, watching tv.

[@batintheattic7293]

You would think that by now, with all these fines that they've scratched up, they'd be able to afford at least one of the things they've been telling us is the backbone of their operation. And, if it's true that the police must be shown some sort of evidence in order to accompany them, why are the police not releasing statements that TVL are lying to the public? Do they like being implicated in humongous lies? If I were head honcho of the police - I'd be really upset if my personnel were being used like that. I'd want to put the record straight and then tell TVL that they can't have a police escort until the provide evidence of a crime.

[@mpol701]

Tv detection now is pointless as having at tv or device isn't against the licence, it's what you use it for, they have to prove

[@tillybobs2]

Glad you stated tv dictator vans instead of detector vans, they harassing my 83 year old mum, it disgusting

[@SuperTreemendus]

Exactly!!👍. I’ve just responded to their nasty letters and I have had no problems. No need for people knocking on the door. Respond and chillaxe😊!

[@7755ian1]

A friend of mine worked for years on the maintenance of these "so called detector vans" all they contained initially was a wooden desk and a list of house numbers and street names which didn't have a licence. He went out regularly to breakdowns and noticed nothing in the van whatsoever. How could the detection equipment be shown in court when none exist?

[@LivingLegendMe]

They probably lie when they state they don´t have to answer questions about their detector equipment under the Freedom of Information Act. It´s all a big lie.

[@deanosaur808]

Maybe the detention equipment was removed?? Tv licensing ain't gonna trust a grease monkey with all that hi-tech technology lol I still believe they could detect magnetic fields given off by cathode ray TVs, but modern TVs don't use CRT anymore 🥳

[@electrickery]

@@deanosaur808 "He went out regularly to breakdowns" - if it's broken down at the side of the road, where are they going to take the equipment? You seriously believe they'd send an entire van and a team to remove the equipment so they can call the RAC or the AA? That's so dumb it makes my head hurt to type it.

[@Guardianofdreamcastle-ne5uv]

They literally say give us money or we will send hired goons to your house to threaten and bully you until you give them money. Imagine anyone else doing that, they would be arrested for demanding money with menaces..

[@rogerphelps9939]

were you a freeloader?

[@janb3641]

Sounds like the thugs wanting protection money, no difference…

[@billbhein2949]

​@@rogerphelps9939 I'm guessing you work for TV Licencing..

[@linguistengineer588]

It's important to state that when you Withdraw Implied Right of Access, you always sign it as "The Legal Occupier". You are under no obligation to disclose your identity to Capita/TVL.

[@Euphoftoday]

FMOTL garbage that will get you precisely nowhere in a courtroom.

[@--legion]

It's a simple online process to opt-out. Fill in the form and no more threatening letters for about a year. But they don't keep records of those who haven't got a licence - a year ago I entered the opt-out details and I recently received a licencing letter addressed to 'the legal occupier'.

[@pppp67567]

​@--legion that's not true. My partner cancelled his the correct way and has been harassed every few weeks over several months with threatening letters. Some people are not being left alone.

[@budekins7779]

I'm 64, never had a tv license, never had an inspector at the door. Yes, I receive the letters, addressed to legal occupier. I bin them. TV license is optional. If you pay it, it's your choice. They need your help to obtain a warrant, don't give it. Never engage with them, do not communicate, not a word, ever.

[@roxoriginal732]

Yh I make you right .thats exactly what I do I get them silly letters to legal occupier and I just bin them ,once you make contact with them and start giving your name they are now in Correspondence with you but if you are then you should say you don’t wish to enter into a contract with them for the very reasons mentioned in this video like I don’t watch bbc nor Iplayer or watch live or record live tv .ive never brought a tv licence plus I dont watch the jimmy savel channel anyway nor bbc iplayer . Its not against the law to own and watch a tv or play a computer on it or stream via a side loader😜

[@Geoman9482]

Do you watch live t.v.? A license is not optional if you do.

[@budekins7779]

@@Geoman9482 I watch whatever I like. I choose not to purchase a tv license, I've chosen not to purchase a tv license for over forty years without consequence. I think that makes it optional.

[@Geoman9482]

@@budekins7779 You are a thief.

[@x0jas0x]

@@Geoman9482you’re an idiot. Only if you watch or record live TV or BBC iplayer. A license is not required to watch Netflix, or non-live television.

[@DofTF]

Without a warrant they have no more right than the Postman to come into your property.

[@TomBradshaw-ot9zb]

Trouble is they do eventually get a warrant through lying or trick people into admitting they watch tv without a license

[@Thurgosh_OG]

Less in fact as they are only door to door salesmen.

[@Isclachau]

@@TomBradshaw-ot9zbNo they don’t. Why people are so thick and pay the licence fee is beyond me.

[@kwaobenti]

@@TomBradshaw-ot9zb People can easily avoid admitting anything, by simply not talking to them! And certainly not allowing them into their homes. Simply say no thanks, and shut the door. Or don't even open the door in the first place!

[@connerhughes1435]

Dont answer the door and if you do, say no thank you, goodbye, simples

[@markpaul1154]

Slam the door, dont talk to them. The best way to avoid any prosecution.

[@transientaardvark6231]

Trouble is, they have many ploys to trick their way inside. They never lie, but it appears they are free to subtly imply things.

[@SwiftBG]

@@transientaardvark6231 the only way they'd trick their way inside of my flat would be by pretending to be my partner. I reckon I'd see through that ruse.

[@englishciderlover7347]

@@transientaardvark6231 Your best bet is simply not answering the door if you're not expecting visitors.

[@jamesmccann531]

​@@transientaardvark6231if I dont know people who are coming into my house, they need ID. No ID, no entry

[@themisspultone]

@@transientaardvark6231 ohh but they can lie, 'we have detected signals indicating you have and active TV' yeh you and that old van with a bent coat hanger on it?

[@Simon-ui6db]

I had one turn up at my door and said I needed a licence as he saw a "TV" in my front room. Told him to clear off, then received a court summons. Was thrown out as the agent didn't read a caution to me first. Also because he had seen the computer monitor and assumed it was a tv before making it know to me he was there, again this was used against TV licencing and thrown out of court. This was before you needed a licence for BBC Iplayer catchup.

[@neuralwarp]

Looking in through the windows? Should have reported him to the police, and pushed firmly for a prosecution.

[@mpol701]

Having a tv us not a reason for having a licence, unless this was years ago when it was differant, now with mobiles, tablet, pc etc all can watch live TV and access bbc iPlayer but they have to prove u are watching live

[@Euphoftoday]

I keep my curtains closed permanently.

[@PolygonSwan]

TV is fine no licence needed.

[@PolygonSwan]

A TV is fine no licence needed.

[@PT-ij9hc]

An excellent video. One of your best yet. Cancelled my licence years ago (doing it 'officially') & only get asked every 2yrs. It's certainly clarified my understanding, but great to get confirmation from someone who understands UK Law. 👌

[@StewartP45]

Well timed! After quite a few years of peace I received a letter from TV licensing just the other day. Your comments confirm my understanding of the law remains valid. I will be advising (and making a documentary evidence recording) that a licence is still not required on my premises. Will be interesting to see if they manage to take proper note of said advice. 13 years since I got rid of my TV ( plus live viewing/recording etc etc) and don't miss it one bit.

[@dees3179]

I have an old tv solely used to play my equally old Nintendo through. It can’t get tv shows because the property has no aerial and I have no paid packages, don’t use iPlayer, free view etc. the only possible way I could now need a licence would be for KZbin live and I’m petty enough I’ll refuse to watch that just so I can completely morally correctly not have a licence. Like you, I don’t miss tv shows at all. The more personalised content on platforms like KZbin is so much more interesting than the heavily edited gumpf. And being able to interact with creators is a gift. I particularly like history channels. I want to watch historians talk about their research and discuss difficult topics. Not tv presenters reciting the latest politicalically correct rubbish with background music and inaccurate reinterpretations..

[@davidsky7924]

Having mental health issues I was driven to rage by these pestering letters. Eventually I phoned TV Licensing and was told that I won't be sent letters for 2 years. They have begun this process again after two years Now I just bin the letters.. You couldn't pay me enough to make me watch telivision. It's all in the word programming!!! I refuse to be traumatised or controlled by a box of electronic components. Thank you for your clear explanation. Keep up the great work .

[@79blustone]

I'm just curious to know how you are watching this then?

[@davidsky7924]

@@79blustone no licence required for utube .

[@kierhudson1328]

@79blustone tv licences are required for live or broadcast television.

[@79blustone]

I don't think anyone got the hint from the last section of his comment.... I'll give you a hint- 'Irony'

[@ChrisPatrick-q6k]

​@@79blustoneI'm not on your side.

[@davidtymon8258]

I seem to recall they'd set up about 6 separate 'special investigations' on my property, but none of their officers ever called round (to my knowledge. All the letters were addressed to 'the occupier' so their investigations didn't go so far as checking the electoral register to find a name for my address. After about 12 years of me ignoring them, they finally gave up on me... not had a letter from them since about 2013. :)

[@alastairward2774]

Same, got all those ridiculously worded letters claiming terrible things were going to happen. Dicked about and went online to change the name of the occupier a few times to something punny, got bored and started shedding them straight away.

[@hazmat5749]

They have no TV detection equipment, its all BS to scare you.

[@MsSarinakg]

What do you base this statement on? As a matter of interest...

[@TheSuperHarrygeorge]

It’s on the data base as to whether you have a licence. Tv detector vans existed but they DONT DETECT ANYTHING . They are for show. When did you last see one !

[@hazmat5749]

@@MsSarinakg No evidence from detector vans has ever been used to prosecute someone for license evasion and the BBC have never shown or stated what equipment they use in their vans. Therefore we can conclude the vans and a fraud.

[@MrMoralHighground]

@@MsSarinakg according to their website their detection equipment is so advanced that even the engineers dont know what they are working on - lol

[@rhodaborrocks-dy3fb]

@@MsSarinakg…just thinking about it for a moment

[@mickeythompson9537]

I haven't owned a TV for years, and I get these letters monthly... addressed to "the legal occupier," since I have never given them my name. They have a distinct escalation pattern, from less pretend-threatening to very pretend-threatening, and then they go back to the beginning. It's comical. Only had one 'officer' visit, just after I moved to this address, I told him (from an upstairs window I was painting) that I didn't have a TV, I refused when asked to give my name (even though he claimed it would make things easier for me if I did!) and he went away. All very pathetic really.

[@TheCatwoman2005]

Well said 👏 same here one person at the door in 10yrs, turned them away, same letters month after month each one threatening to send a enforcement Officer out which never come. Not worth the paper they are written on 😅

[@petc8504]

Same here. After 18 years of receiving these letters I quickly saw a rotating sytem of low threat to high threat and starting over again. I had visits from them 3 times. The first guy was nice and I did speak to him but didn't give him any of my personal information. 2nd time there were 2 guys, one was huge and stood behind the speaker to cause intimidation. I'm a woman on my own and they looked in my windows, I should have got the police involved but had no proof. 3rd time I was just leaving to go out and shouted at them to f off.

[@Euphoftoday]

​@@petc8504keep the door closed. Never communicate with these unconscionable people.

[@trolleriffic]

Same here. I've had so many of those letters with code numbers and the "scary" (not actually scary) red ones that I've lost count. Anything addressed to "the legal occupier" gets torn up and binned on the grounds that its contents clearly aren't important enough to be addressed to me by name. They never do anything and I don't think I've even had a visit in the ten years (at least) since I stopped paying for the licence.

[@TheFirstCalled.60AD]

I was just gonna comment saying the same thing pal. I've been at this address for 6 year's and not once have I had a TV licence. Since then the letters from them have gone from white (under investigation) to red (court action) and now back to white again (back under investigation) hahahaha absolute clowns 🤡

[@668725]

There has never been a prosecution using detector van's because there is nothing in them, its all smoke and mirrors, im ex military intelligence, and i can tell you there is so many digital signals in a house that it would be impossible on oath to say witch one was a tv, it could be your fridge or a phone or playstation you get the picture. Hope this helps.

[@deanosaur808]

Obviously that is true in modern times, but not so much in the past. Also, fridges stop and start, which can easily be recognised if they stalked an address long enough 😂 The detention equipment uses sophisticated technology as found in doctor who's tardis! 😅

[@BourbonCreamBiscuit]

Interesting title, years ago I told them over them phone that I find their letters harassing and it's an offence to harass someone, they insisted it wasn't harassment, as I understand it, it's not up to them to decide if I feel harassed it's up to me and would be for a magistrate / judge to decide if it was. As I also understand it's only lawful to be harassed by powers that be if you're suspected of committing a crime, if you're not committing a crime and innocent then it has to be harassment and illegal, yet they won't accept it... I also made a call demanding they stop sending letters as I don't have need of a TV licence, the ONLY way I found they would do it was if I gave them all my details, which again I am pretty sure comes under DPA as I don't have nor do I want any services or contract with them. They are not a government body they are a company and business, what they do is wrong! BBC are quite simply above the law and law unto themselves. "'TV Licensing' is a trade mark of the BBC and is used under licence by companies contracted by the BBC to administer the collection of the television licence fee and enforcement of the television licensing system" - From the horses mouth on their $ ite

[@derekupson4489]

The first political party abolishing the BBC licence tax would have a landslide victory.

[@Cos-mog]

Reform intend to!!!

[@Colin-ro6lh]

​@@Cos-mogFAKE PATRIOTIC REFORM LTD THE REGISTERED BUSINESS ARE NOT ON YOUR SIDE & NEVER THE SIDE OF THE UK STUPIDITY OF PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF IS UNBELIEVABLE WAKE UP 🤡🤡

[@deanosaur808]

It will be replaced with a streaming tax 😅

[@willsham45]

It is the mentality of guilty until proven innocent and I cannot think of anything else you have to opt out of to stop being harassed.

[@Interknetz]

TV licensing tactics make me wish we'd have a class action against them in the UK. It seems bound to happen one day surely.

[@robburrows2737]

Yes.

[@anonnona8099]

@@robburrows2737 > Yes. Err, no, actually. Class action lawsuits are not a thing in the UK. Do pay attention.

[@davidoswald9253]

On a par with the Post Office!!

[@anonnona8099]

​@@davidoswald9253 > On a par with the Post Office!! Not at all. Do you have any other fields of activity where you struggle to maintain a sense of perspective?

[@davidoswald9253]

No Name!! says it all -what a numptie!!!@@anonnona8099

[@plasticcreations7836]

Any reasonable person would see these letters as harassment. If the law allows it then maybe the law needs to change.

[@DJ-uk5mm]

Spot on. Regarding the removal of the implied right of access…….but mr barrister. Why not tell your clients. To serve a notice of fee schedule for a meeting with the tv inspector of say £450. For the first hr and £250 per hr or part thereof ( ie what some barristers charge 😂) Also say £75.00 for handling the admin & responding to each letter they send. Instruct them that if they do not wish to pay then hey should refrain from any further correspondence or attempt any visits. If they choose do do either of these things then this will be seen as acceptance of the contract and the fee will be due to be paid within 7 days or in the case of a visit in cash on arrival of the ‘inspector’ this will guarantee that you’ll never hear from them again . And if by chance they slip up and the computer sends out a letter then great you e made £75.00 😂 happy days

[@grantross2609]

if there's something not to trust in this world it's the law tho !

[@archiesmum8601]

Absolutely, and no one seems to take into account how depending on our age, circumstances, mental health & personalities, these letter's with their implied threats & accusations affect us For many they cause a great deal of stress & increased anxiety. It's nothing short of bullying and simply wouldn't be considered acceptable by any other "service provider"... can you imagine the Gas Board sending similar letters to those who don't pay a gas bill simply because they don't have gas?🤷🏼‍♀️ It's much the same principal really

[@rogerphelps9939]

Would you call it harassment if they are actually guilty?

[@DSM-DrivingSchool]

Finally bit the bullet and cancelled today! Thank you for your videos - it gave me confidence to do it - I’m ready for the knocks at the door but I’ve got rid of my telly so they can do what they want

[@hls6925]

Always interesting to see your vids, BBB! BTW, as an electrical and electronics engineer (retired!), I can tell you that the only potentially workable 'TV Detector van' to have ever been used (and I know this from being involved with the organisation that operated them!), I can tell you that those devices only worked with much older CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs, of the 405 line, or 625 line variety i.e the kind that needed a high voltage Line Output transformer (LOPT), which generated a 10kHz signal approximately (for a 405 line TV), or 16kHz signal approximately (for a 625 line TV), and by doing so, radiated quite a strong, localised, high-pitched audio signal, which could be detected by equipment designed to receive such a signal. This was in the days when there were very few TV channels available., and when one needed a licence simply to own a TV. These detecting devices would have been unable to distinguish between multiple homes in flats, for instance. Finally , modern none-CRT TV (RECEIVERS, NOT TRANSMITTERS!) do not radiate any significant signal - audio, video, or radio, or otherwise - except to the people watching it in their abode! I think we can safely discount the actual use of working detector vans currently. Hope this helps.

[@mickeythompson9537]

First I've heard about a "high-pitched audio signal" - always understood the detector vans would have picked up radiation from the rooftop antenna. As you say, long gone. Presumably they can tell if someone is watching iPlayer unlicensed... if you log in with your real address.

[@ellvee4261]

The fact that the so called detection devices are conveniently under an FOI non disclosure clause is the biggest red flag. Just think how much things will change when the ordinary folk start paying more attention to channels like this, to say the information from a legal standpoint is long overdue, would be an understatement.

[@hls6925]

@@ellvee4261 Definitely agree!

[@stillstanding123]

Spot on sir! First order B.S. from the BBC . About as much chance of TV detection as a hairdryer or electric toothbrush. 😊

[@vandit6354]

Also a TV Broadcast engineer here, can confirm the above is completely correct. There are certainly no TV detector vans today (if there even ever was!)

[@wallflower5701]

Years back I was a single mother due to domestic abuse disabled n v little money I missed a 5 pound payment and they threw book at me with court costs fines ect over 5oo pounds n food n heat money went to pay off the fines the BBC are a disgrace as well as the courts no offence thank you for uploading this to help other ppl in similar situations ❤

[@stevenwallacebaker9169]

I was 17, and a very poor, single mother, had just a couple of weeks previously moved into my own (rented) home,I didnt know about TV licences,no on had thought to tell me,it was a very stressful time,I had no furniture or anything,they knocked and I was so friendly I invited them in and told them I didn't know about TV licences,could I pay now,? hey said "no chance, your going to court" I was fined, which I often went without food to pay,they have no humanity. I wont even have TV in my house now, they disgust me so much,doing the Children in Need begathons with the presenters on hundreds of thousands a year ( and millions) getting all the glory for helping children,when their actions hurt vulnerable families

[@davidholmes9643]

Great video. The BBC should be closed down and a Class Action against all involved and huge compensation pay outs. All Enforcement staff do what they want and do look in windows.

[@spookyspoon6589]

We love you Dan ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@necropink9200]

I simply ignore their letters and I won't take the time to declare a no licence needed to them. If an enforcement officer, (salesman), visits I will say no thanks and shut the door and they will have no choice but to go away.

[@Isclachau]

Exactly. Why this fool is scaring people I don’t know. Just stop paying and ignore every single letter.

[@seanmurray8051]

The guy is talking law. That's his job. What happens in practice isn't always out of a textbook. My letters from TVL get binned, rare visits get turned away without confirming I'm even the occupier, much less what my name is. No problem at all. People getting wound up by a monthly letter that isn't even addressed to them.. 😂

[@trolleriffic]

@@Isclachau He's being responsible by spelling out exactly what the law says on this matter. What they choose to do with that information is their choice but at least they're informed and hopefully won't put themselves at risk by doing something they think is legal but isn't. I did the same as you and quite enjoy getting the threatening letters and binning them without opening them.

[@dave0smeg]

We cancelled our subscription and used their online form to let them know we no longer needed a licence. That's when the threatening letters started arriving. After 6 months and 6 more letters I phoned TVLicencing and told them to stop sending letters. They asked a lot of personal details which I refused to give other than the address. I was informed that the best they could do was a 2 year suspension. That is due to run out soon, so any letters from them will just get thrown in the bin.

[@Isclachau]

Why in gods name do you read the letters. Stick THEM STRAIGHT INTO BIN.

[@derekferguson385]

Never ever plead guilty to anything even if you are guilty. Let them prove you are guilty. The best advice my father ever gave me.

[@mikepxg6406]

How is his stay in HMP doing......

[@booshting3520]

That's how you get a longer sentence. You shouldn't give legal advice, son.

[@janburn007]

The problem is, if you do not plead guilty when you are actually guilty - you may end up with a much heftier penalty or prison sentence when you are found guilty by the court in the end. So if you want a lighter penalty/sentence - it's often best to plead guilty, if you are guilty.

[@batintheattic7293]

That's horrible advice. So, even if you know you've done something bad and you feel remorse, you shouldn't be trying to make the victim's life any easier because you might escape justice if you lie? That was his advice?

[@seanmurray8051]

​@janburn007 it's a gamble, if you make them prove guilt with no input from you, it's often much harder for them to do so. The difference between having enough evidence to arrest someone to try and rattle their cage into slipping up, and actually being able to charge a person without any input from them can be quite a bit.

[@SteveHubbard-m2i]

I SORN my car last year because it had a problem so would not pass the MOT. I have not been pestered by DVLA once. Every month I get a letter from the BBC, talk about harassment. I keep these threatening letters unopened until the day I can’t take it anymore, when I will go to the doctors threatening to take my own life because of the stress they cause!

[@deanosaur808]

I think there are some issues with SORN system that need to be addressed. Many sorn cars just disappear or rot away, but they still appear in the DVLA data base. If you look at rover cars on howmanyleft, 34 thousand cars licensed, and 78 thousand cars SORN! How many of those SORN cars still exist? 😱 It would be helpful if we knew exactly how many are left, but it would be tricky to administer 😅

[@jub7914]

Could those large amount of prosecutions be involving the elderly that previously didnt require a license and are made an easy target by the BBC ?

[@inspirality]

I understand that most of the prosecutions are single mothers on low income but the elderly are also very vulnerable. So yes you are (unfortunately) probably correct.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

Approx 75% are women, many single mums.

[@stevenwallacebaker9169]

@@Thurgosh_OG that makes so much sense,a couple of decades ago I was a (very)young single mum,had just moved into my first ever (rented) home,having lived at home previously I didn't even know about TV licences,they knocked at my door, I said "Hi come in,sorry no I didn't know I needed one,shall I buy one now from you?" at which point they said "see you in court" It really was a genuine mistake,I was given a fine which meant going without food to pay.I have never forgotten that cruelty,no humanity in them at all

[@rogerphelps9939]

Not by the BBC. By this government which stopped the grant to the BBC in respect of those over 75 and made the BBC fund the World Service which i.s actually an extension of the UK government.

[@debbietaylor5183]

​​​@@Thurgosh_OGmakes sense that's the case I'm single disabled mum so not working at present notified them after moving i didn't need one (which I dont) still turned up at my door a week later...didn't let them in of course told guy I had already informed them online he took few details & left not heard from them since luckily I was clued up to step outside into close to speak to him & shut door behind me...never let them In they have no right to access your property & can overstep their boundaries.

[@petermoore9504]

When I was a BBC engineer back in the 80s there was talk of CRTs (old glass tvs) emitting a back emf from the high voltage coils which was detectable, this was plausible but questionable. I never saw, heard of or believed in detector vans. In my opinion they do not exist.

[@danpan6420]

They don’t exist. It’s just a fear mongering for the gullible people

[@andygozzo72]

yes the line timebase section of a crt tv or monitor does radiate a fair bit of electromagnetic interference, try going near an operating crt tv with an am radio, you'll soon see what i mean.. things nowadays with non crt based tvs, i dont know how they could do it, the power supply circuitry will radiate a bit but so would any device with a switch mode power circuit in it,

[@jimsadler8035]

the old crts used to generate an intermediate frequency which could be detected and was evidence of a tv in use. If they had anything these days it would have shown up in court as BBB mentions.

[@andygozzo72]

@@jimsadler8035 i wouldnt have thought the IF would radiate enough to be detectable 6ft away, let alone outside a house , if it did it'd cause problems within the tv itself or any nearby device also with similar RF/IF circuitry

[@mickeythompson9537]

Yes, the back emf or if through the rooftop aerial. Same as the TV would interfere with an AM radio. Direction finding antennae might have got the culprit in a street, but not a block of flats. Bear in mind if engineers want to detect a tiny signal, they can. But all in the past now.

[@tonytasker489]

Enforcement officers 😂 They're door to door salesmen. I'm on the electoral roll register, yet their "investigation" can't even find out my name. They're addressed "to the legal occupier." You have no legal obligation to respond to their letters.

[@LivingLegendMe]

Enforcement officer are just hired by debt collectors, and work on a commission basis.

[@deanosaur808]

They obviously know who the legal occupier is, but are afraid to misgender you 😅

[@mylom8397]

I was accused of TV license evasion in 2003, and represented myself at the local magistrates court. I wiped the floor with the officer on the stand, and was found not guilty. It was a fantastic day, but it was hassle. The TV licence enforcement authority is completely inept and staffed by little more than 2nd rate commission-based salesmen. The second you push back with reasonable questions, the façade collapses and they have absolute nothing behind the "bully boy" tactics they employ.

[@MSF93]

would you mind briefly describing in some detail how you defended yourself and what you said? asking for a friend

[@mylom8397]

​@@MSF93 Basically the only "evidence" they had was statement filled out by the enforcement officer, and he had lied on his statement, saying I had admitted to watching TV, however I hadn't signed the statement, so the form was just typed up hearsay. In court I got to examine the officer and asked him "If me and you had a disagreement, or heated on conversation on my doorstep, what stops you going back to your car or office and fabricating an incriminating statement?". He refused to answer the question and kept trying to deflect saying "I wouldn't lie" etc. After 4 times of being asked the question, the Magistrate's clerk finally had to intervene and threatened the officer with contempt of court if he didn't answer my question. After that he sheepishly answered "There's a signature box at the bottom of the form, to show it's an accurate statement". I then asked him to read off the signatures present in those boxes, and he only read his own name (as I hadn't signed it). My next question was "As there is only 1 signature present on the form you have submitted for evidence, what authenticates the statement taken is an accurate and fair representation of our conversation?", he was forced to admit by the clerk that there was actually "nothing" to guarantee it was. The magistrate took about 10 minutes to deliberate and found me not guilty. What they rely on, is you being stupid and saying the wrong thing. The lesson I learned from that, is NEVER talk to an enforcement officer. If they knock on your door, ignore it. If you mistakenly answer, just record any interaction. Don't argue, don't rant about "BBC paedophiles" etc, just say "no thank you" and shut the door. They are completely powerless unless you engage with them.

[@MSF93]

@@mylom8397 I really appreciate you taking the time to reply extensively, this helps a lot. Thank you!

[@ottovonwallace830]

The letters don't bother me now. They don't know who lives at my house, and nor shall they. The letters are addressed to The Occupier. It's costing them money to send the letters. The bbc's reputation for breaking the law far outshines those people who don't pay the licence fee. They are a horrible shower.

[@LivingLegendMe]

From the state of their programming, all the licence fees they do collect are going to recover fees from those who do not feel in the least bit compelled to give them a cent.

[@deanosaur808]

They know who you are, but they prefer to address you as legal occupier. It gets complicated to know exactly who is responsible for paying the licence at an address, plus the BBC don't like to guess your pronouns 😂

[@DaveMurphyEngineer]

Appreciate the advice about writing to TV Licensing to formally revoke their implied right of access to your property. 👍🏻 I’ve been receiving a letter a month from TV licensing for nearly 4 years now. I declared ‘no need for a licence’ when I bought my property as a basic courtesy and because I had enough hassles going on with renovations but, as far as I’m concerned, I’ve made my declaration to them and I see no need to update that declaration - unless my circumstances change to the point that I need to buy a tv licence - at which point I will buy one. The need to annually declare ‘I don’t need a tv licence’ is THEIR terms and conditions, which I fundamentally disagree with them trying to impose on me. I’ve made my declaration and if they choose to ignore it because it was made more than 12 months ago then that’s their problem. They are welcome to waste their time and money sending letters to ‘The Resident’ and I will keep binning them - I definitely agree that they would be considered harassing, even threatening, to people less certain in their convictions than myself.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

Revoking their implied right of access, only stops the goons from coming to your door, it has no effect on the letters.

[@DaveMurphyEngineer]

@@Thurgosh_OG I know it doesn’t.

[@colin.d]

The TV licence has become outdated and should be scrapped. The BBC is far too large an outfit and could drastically slim down and be funded by subscription and/or advertising. Licensing is a relic of a bygone age and needs to go.

[@andrewmiles3378]

Absolutely!

[@deanosaur808]

Careful what you wish for, they will find some other way to make us pay to use streaming 😩

[@mikesam347]

And the same for the Monarchy.

[@jetblakink]

Filled in one of those "no Licence" licence's a few year back, which is basically a permit to allow you to not require a licence, yet I am still being hounded! I've got a largish stack of recent letters, and threats to come round to check that I'm not watching tv, but they never turn up. I haven't had a tv in over a decade, and couldn't tell you what's on if I tried. I'm prepared to let them in, just so they'll leave me alone. It's deffo harassment!…

[@waxrepine1298]

Was born in 1980. I remember when I was about 6 seeing the adverts on BBC about their detector vans. I remember thinking TV's only revive signals... How can you tell if something is reciving a signal unless it's sending one out? Then I though what if you have two properties and the dividing wall has a TV either side... How could the BBC know if one was switched on or not, or which one was receiving a signal. Then lastly the interior of the van looked like it had used extra stage props from Dr Who... Then as a 6 year old I realised that was bollocks!

[@thewaronu8842]

You must be one of those awful conspiracy theorists the BBC is always warning us about

[@waxrepine1298]

@@thewaronu8842 sorry was that comment directed at me?

[@thewaronu8842]

@@waxrepine1298 Irony dude

[@waxrepine1298]

@@thewaronu8842 lol I did wonder when I asked you the question! No worries!

[@RolandoRatas]

The BBC telling lies and covering up for those lies ... who would have thought it !!?!?!!!

[@katrinabryce]

I found that writing to them to say I don't have a TV doesn't work. However writing to them to request the evidence they intend to rely on in court to prove beyond reasonable doubt that I am breaking the law, does work. Generally speaking, when someone threatens to take you to court, I find the best approach is to threaten to turn up at the hearing to defend it, and TV licencing is no exception. I asked them to explain what detection equipment thy had used to determine that they believed I was watching / had installed unlicenced TV services, how the equipment worked, what results it showed, etc. Or if they had not used such equipment, to explain why not. Or, if they refused to produce this evidence, to explain how they intended to prove beyond reasonable doubt without it. I also informed them that I was revoking implied consent for visits, and that any future correspondence other than to reply to my letter addressing its points would be treated as harrassment. That worked, I haven't heard from them for 8 years now.

[@peedee-zo1yq]

Yes, it's pretty obvious that everyone at loggerheads with the BBC over this issue should be using this approach. It should also be asked as to the purpose of a home visit to 'inspect' possible presence of TV viewing equipment which will obviously be inactive at the time. Simply, what proof is this of usage?

[@vanislandrider7982]

the fact that the UK still has these ridiculous licenses is bizarre

[@mrlegkick91]

It's how we fund our state propaganda of course

[@outlaw6421]

Most eu countries have them as well.the usa 🇺🇸 don't, the bbc send them programmes for free..why you would actually watch the crap on BBC is beyond me..

[@laurentitolledo1838]

in other countries.... its the ads that makes revenues for the TV networks... why not they do the same why is it that it seems like "owning a TV" is deemed like a criminal act?

[@stevenwallacebaker9169]

@@laurentitolledo1838 because the viewing figures for the BBC would not be high enough for them to be able to charge enough for ads,they enjoy the freedom of a 100% funded business model,they are answerable to no one and can push the currant globalist,elitist, neo liberal messaging to their hearts content.

[@stevenknill2179]

@@laurentitolledo1838 do you really want terrible compare the market adverts ruining all of your t.v. experience . Much prefer a t.v. license fee to stop the adverts!

[@gowiththeflowmassage9772]

Excellent , thank you - I also feel harassed by these letters despite contacting them several times over the years to confirm I don't have or want a TV! Now I feel ill be stuck on hold on a long call to repeat myself. Sorry I don't have time to waste on their terms either!

[@michaelgilday]

I cancelled my mother's TV Licence and explained the reason as she could no longer see the TV due to cataracts and she could no longer hear the TV due to the loss of her hearing aids by the hospital she spent about five weeks in. Immediately after it was cancelled, she started to receive threatening letters from the TV License authority. My sister removed the TV from her home soon after receiving the first of these letters. What staggered me was how threatening these letters became, I just ignore them as there seems to be little point in explaining why there is no requirement to have a TV license at her home as I have already done this, and it has been ignored already. They can send out as many threatening letters as they wish it cost them money to do so, I think it is disgusting the nature of these letter old people in general must recieve and it is no wonder people end up buying a TV Licence even if they have no longer got a TV or use a TV, just to stop being threatened. My mother for years rarely watched TV apart from Strickly Come Dancing as she found practically everything on TV offensive to her which was broadcast.

[@mda5003]

If you are blind the only concession the BBC allow is a half price TV licence. No, it doesn't make sense.

[@itwork6810]

BBC have lost. TV licenses will eventually be scrapped.

[@peterloftus6259]

Personally I now recognise the letters and I return them to sender unopened as I do with all other junk mail.

[@williamwilliams8145]

@@itwork6810 No they won't, the BBC and other channels are to much of a useful tool to the government for pushing their fear porn and agendas. As long as they are parliaments nudge unit, they will be allowed to charge and harass the public.

[@robtheplod]

Get you MP involved...

[@the_once-and-future_king.]

The only evidence they get is what comes out of your mouth, or if you're stupid enough to actually let them in. Simplest way to stop them: Shut your mouth, then shut the door.

[@englishciderlover7347]

If I'm not expecting visitors, I don't even answer the door in the first place, just as I don't answer phone calls from numbers I don't recognise.

[@halley4032]

@@englishciderlover7347 Excellent advice. Friends and others with arranged appointments always ring/email/text etc, anyone else can stand in the pouring rain for all I care 🤣

[@stevegee8010]

@@englishciderlover7347 Same. I've never understood why some (most?) people feel they must answer the phone or open the door, even when they've no idea who it is.

[@stanpritchard7436]

100% agree, they are only salespeople,

[@tazzy3469]

@BlackBeltBarrister Hi Daniel, if I go down the road of stopping paying because I don't watch TV and plead not guilty to a charge notice, would I be required to go to court? Would I have to have a legal representative there? And can I claim costs if found not guilty? Thank you

[@yogavibesoul-utions9773]

I don’t watch the television and haven’t for years. Told them that years ago! So I’ve been ignoring their letters for years now….!

[@stevenbrooks8323]

I've heard that denying right of access has given them a excuse to get a warrant as they say something must be wrong otherwise what have they got to hide, I've always found saying no thanks and shutting the door stops them for a while.

[@super_morto]

Its not a TV licence, its BBC licence.

[@transientaardvark6231]

No it's not - you need a TV licence tor watching any TV channel live off air, and not ALL the money raised goes to the BBC.

[@super_morto]

It was a joke, its actually a TV signal/BBC content licence. @@transientaardvark6231

[@Redsauce101]

Tax

[@angryengine9616]

​@@transientaardvark6231LIES

[@orkstuff5635]

It doesn't help that they LIE - I have two e-mails dated 20/06/22 and 21/11/22, both records of 'No license required' at my address, both stating that they wouldn't be in touch for another 6 months - you'll note that there is only 5 months between them and I'm reasonably sure there was at least one more 'reminder' sent between them that I just ignored. I mainly object to their implied assumption that I can't live without a television despite not having bothered with one for the past 10 years or more.

[@transientaardvark6231]

Yup - the disbelief that you could possibly be able to get by without one is alarming in so many ways

[@englishciderlover7347]

@@transientaardvark6231 How did our ancestors survive for thousands of years without TV?

[@deborahprkn]

When I’ve mentioned to people that I don’t watch tv anymore (after they’ve mentioned what’s happening on a series they’re watching or similar) I get some funny looks. People find it hard to believe I think. I read, enjoy art and some crafting or sometimes watch a dvd,which I do use my tv for. I know that there’s those small dvd players ( IF they’re still sold) that are about an ipad size? However not much good if there’s more than one wanting to watch a dvd.

[@christinancarroll3618]

Very good to know, thank you Black Belt Barrister. I suspect TV Licensing may have the same powers as private parking companies who contact DVLA to get your address details. That is to say, perhaps TV Licensing contact ISP/TV providers to see if they rent equipment to you for example: Sky or Virgin TV.

[@captainnemo190]

I'd cancelled my licence officially in April 2020. Very soon after that, I got a visit from one of the TV licence goons. Got rid of him, but then started to get the letters, and still get them to this day. All varying degrees of threat, which they recycle and send out again. Mostly, the letters come in a white envelope, but sometimes it's brown and when they really want to threaten me, it's a red envelope😆 I've kept them all for a laugh to see the accumulation of deployed tactics😆

[@seanhayes2998]

It’s a slight hassle moving their letters straight from the letterbox to the recycling bin unopened, but it only takes 15s so I can live with it. Been doing it for 15 years and still haven’t had a visit.

[@cgisme]

I have had three. Last one I told the guy “We can spend 20 minutes shouting at each other and you go away earning nothing or you can Foxtrot Oscar now and earn nothing! He chose the latter. NB I do not use TV or Iplayer. With regard to the letters I couldn’t write to someone as NastyGuy Debt Collection Services but TVL can

[@brolohalflemming7042]

It's probably better to just mark them "RTS" and put them back in the mailbox. Unless the BBC has a deal with the Post Office, I think there is a charge for returned mail.

[@seanhayes2998]

@@brolohalflemming7042 I did that in the beginning, can’t be a@@ed now.

[@brolohalflemming7042]

@@seanhayes2998 I do it with all the junkmail and leaflets the Post Office delivers me. Apparenly I could be fined for putting rubbish in post boxes, but if they put it in mine, it seems fair to give it back.

[@bellinghammond]

IF they come to the door they can't force themselves in...Close it, or better yet, don't open it.

[@mickeythompson9537]

There was an utterly disgusting TVL advert on BBC Radio 4 this year coinciding with university term time - basically saying that "your children won't be in touch now for months, and you'll be worried, so buy them a TV license and maybe they'll phone to chat about your joint favourite programmes." The level of manipulation here is just evil.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

Especially as most of them wouldn't' legally need a license because they don't watch broadcast tv or use iplayer, most have one or more of the streaming services and no interest in terrestrial tv.

[@englishciderlover7347]

@@Thurgosh_OG 30-50 years from now, the number of people watching live TV will probably be negligible. Things have changed hugely from the 1970s and '80s.

[@batintheattic7293]

Not that I've used the facility but one of the top media providers (Netflix or Prime - can't remember which) have this button for a 'watch party' which, I think, is where you and your uni kids can watch exactly the same program at exactly the same time. May even be able to talk about what's being watched WHILE it's being watched, too. With each other!! I've not tried it. Without trying it - I already know that it makes that BBC advert so very pathetic. Let's get this straight - the BBC are proud of their version where you can email, or phone, your child and suggest they watch something that you either have already watched or you may plan to watch? Then you sit and wait for them to hopefully watch it and then you wait for them to want to phone you to talk about it? Oh no. Oh, dear me, no. I'm actually, honestly, feeling pity. God, that's desperate! That's a pensioner door to door selling mini discs. Now I want to buy the mini discs just because I feel so sorry for him.

[@anonnona8099]

@mickeythompson9537 > There was an utterly disgusting TVL advert on BBC Radio 4 this year coinciding with university term time > - basically saying that "your children won't be in touch now for months, and you'll be worried, so buy them > a TV license and maybe they'll phone to chat about your joint favourite programmes." > The level of manipulation here is just evil. Manipulation? Evil? You don't actually think like a normal, rational person, do you.

[@robertareilly4847]

@@anonnona8099 It IS manipulation - and it is evil. Thank you for taking so much trouble to re-quote from the other comment. Are you normal?

[@coneyisland4568]

I've been getting these types of letters for years. I don't actually have a TV and have told them this years ago, nor do I use iPlayer on my devices. They occasionally send someone to my door, but I don't let them in or confirm my name. Now I get threats of prosecution every few months addressed to 'the occupier'. It's been going on for more than ten years.

[@johndocbikerestorations831]

Not had a licence for 20 years plus, their letters go in the bin. Had one visit and told them to f off and they left with their tail between their legs. Do not allow this shower of scumbags to intimidate you. Don't give your name, don't let them cross your door, ignore their letters, send them off your property. I will never give them any information about myself or my property.

[@mony2934]

Aren't we too compliant to the point that we have become rather stupid? When are we going to stand together and live free?

[@deanosaur808]

Yeah, let's all live off the fat of the land, piss and shit in the bushes, not pay taxes, and live in a tent 🤣 The country would collapse in a month, and we'd all die from some terrible disease 😅 let's do it! 😎

[@jasongray4517]

Don't open the door or let them in. If you buy a new television, have it delivered to a friend or relatives house, assuming they have a tv licence. Always worked for me. Scores and scores of threatening letters but just bin them as they're of no consequence.

[@seanmurray8051]

I've not bought a new TV in years. Do they still ask for your details in the shop and refuse to sell the TV to you if you don't provide them? I had that many years ago when buying a TV. I asked what they needed them for and was told "for security". I've heard of people paying cash and using a dead relatives details. Don't know if this is still a thing these days though.

[@beavis4763]

@@seanmurray8051 If your picking up a TV from the shop and paying cash you can just make up a fake name and address.

[@sharonalexander4327]

I'm too worried to cancel my TV licence because of all the extra jargon they talk about. I can't get my TV to stream live TV and only watch prime, Disney etc. I'm worried they'll harass me if I tell them I don't need my license. It feels like a protection racket.

[@jimkyle8008]

Capita may have the right to send out letters as part of their enforcement role, but there's no question that the wording of their letters is designed to pressurise, intimidate and frighten. For example, why does the customer need to be informed of the code that Capita has assigned to its investigation into non-payment of a TV licence? Because it sounds weightier and much more serious - it conjures up images of a criminal record number. It is designed for the sole purpose of frightening the recipient into stumping up for a TV licence that they may not need.

[@WouldbeRenaissanceLady6926]

Years ago, I used to watch a lot of terrestrial tv, but now my habits have changed because of the internet. The UK TV License is a thing of the past because most people's viewing habits have changed greatly, it is a dinosaur and BBC viewing should be pay per view or privatised.🙎

[@rhock1979]

What is worrying about the Royal Mail is people are getting letters for hospital appointment after the hospital appointment been and gone resulting in they need to rerange for another appointment. So Daniel just quick question what can you do if you never received any notice of it being taken to court resulting in you being found guilty because you never answered to court letters? Maybe you could do a video on this and telling your viewers what to do if something like this happens.

[@mda5003]

If you have not received notification as opposed to ignoring notification and you get found guilty in your absence you can go to the Court and sign an affidavit, which will be under oath, to that effect.

[@amenaspecialist]

you need to do a stat dec form and have it re-heard

[@raymondharries7188]

I had to pay £2.50 for a letter from a government department because they used the wrong envelope when the new stamps were introduced had the money back but the Royal Mail must have made a fortune through the ones that didn't bother claiming

[@PoppyFields.]

I've regularly received threatening letters about TV licence all my life....an investigation has been opened, we will be in your area asap. I've ignored them. I may write to them and tell them to jog on, stay in their lane. It's been long enough.

[@mda5003]

@@raymondharries7188 I wasn't aware that a government department would stick stamps on an envelope as they usually use a pre-paid service for all their mail. In fact, if I received such an envelope with incorrect postage I would suspect it as junk mail and refuse to pay it.

[@Cpt.BawsaK]

Thank you for a very clear and concise explanation. I am about to ring the TV licence people and cancel the licence for the property as neither my wife or I watch live TV and we can both live without the little that we have watched on iPlayer in the past. I am going to ring and cancel though as I feel that if I give a good explanation over the phone this is a conversation that I can refer to as I refuse to let anyone into our property if an 'enforcer' ever does pay a visit.

[@voteDC]

It's not just the letters that are the issue but how they look. It's easy to see how a vulnerable person could be scared into buying a license they don't need by how threatening the letters appear. Just getting the letters may not be considered harassment but how they present themselves surely is. For me even after making the declaration online that I don't need a TV license I continued to receive letters saying that they were going to send someone out to visit to confirm that I didn't need one.

[@jillybe1873]

Yes it frightened the life out of me. I've only just returned from living abroad and wasn't expecting to be threatened by the BBC. I should have known better.

[@Hammerman837]

Warrants are rarely issued to TVL, so unless an inspector claims to be in possession a warrant and can produce the genuine article, they have no power of entry.

[@davideyres955]

I’m not sure but I believe it’s an offence to claim you have a warrant when you don’t have one. Hopefully BBB will confirm.

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

Magistrates may just rubber stamp the warrant. As they have done for fixing pre payment meters.

[@MarkTrentham-t4h]

Very relevant video.!, stopped watching 'live' T. V. 2 years ago. essentially threw my tele in the bin and cancelled my Direct Debit. Several years later received said notice of a possible visit, etc.,went online and made declaration that I was not watching 'live' T. V.,....... would NOT be surprised if I had this again in the future - cause once your on their radar;).