Tv Licence

[Farriercm]

Just discovered , I have not renewed my TV Licence , will I get a criminal record automatically or community service? .

[ichkeria]

Not if you simply renew your licence :-)

[mikey4444]

Hung, drawn and quartered I should imagine but they might let off if you go to the Post Office on Monday morning and take one.

[rockyracoon]

I'm surprised you haven't been receiving letters about not renewing, they're normally a bit lively when it comes to it.

[mikey4444]

I would gladly pay my licence fee for Paxman, Humphreys, The Archers, and the Proms alone ! Can you imagine the Proms being run by one of the satellite channels !

[New Judge]

To answer your question, if you are prosecuted and convicted for having no TV licence you will get a criminal record, you will not receive community service or go to prison because the maximum penalty is a fine of £1,000.

This is as things stand at present. There is a vote in the Commons (next Tuesday, I believe) to "decriminalise" the matter.

[ummmm]

Nothing will happen. Just renew it.

[bazwillrun]

Owning a Television isnt an offence you only need a licence if you watch/recieve TV live as it is broadcast.
Not renewing isnt an offence either unless the above

So...unless they have absolute proof that you have been watching/recieving live broadcasts (more than extremely unlikely) there isnt anything they can do.

[emmie]

that is why they used to have detector vans, to catch people out, personally i would scrap the licence fee,

[royfromaus]

Emmie, have you ever seen a detector van or even know anyone who as seen one?

[EDDIE51]

emmie, the detector vans were all a con they did not work , they were just empty vans with a big aeriel on the roof and the words 'TV DECTECTOR' on the side.
They were just to scare people into paying. It worked as every time they did a 'tour' of an area there was a rush of people buying licences. They had a list of the addreses with no licence and they would just park outside for a while with the aerial turning round , 90% of the time the householders would rush out to the post office and quickly buy a licence.

[Iggle Piggle]

Well I believe we should have a mass non-payment to crush the stupid licensing scheme but let us wait for the Parliament result from Tuesday.

[EDDIE51]

Read this, the BBC has been forced to admit ' TV detctor vans only work because people belive they do''
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/10/31/bbc-admits-that-tv-d.html

[royfromaus]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2445153/Are-TV-detector-vans-just-cunning-trick-For-decades-claimed-trap-licence-cheats-In-fact-theyve-led-single-prosecution.html

[LyndaB]

Well I think that the TV licence is the best value around. I get great tv shows with no interruptions for adverts. Long live Aunty!

[emmie]

i had lots of hassle about this years ago, and yes i was told i would be prosecuted if i didn't have a licence, no idea that these vans were not legit

[paddywak]

I have. I had a spell of five years when I did not have a TV. I received a demand to renew and despite replying I did not own a telly I continue to receive demands and the detector van was around the estate several time.you used to be able to recognise by the aerials, as well as several personal visits.It was only when I refused to let the guy into the house and wrote to the licencing authorities threatening to sue for harassment they stopped.

[emmie]

so how do they catch people now, just keep on writing to you?

[emmie]

Eddie, your link

The beeb’s secret sauce will remain secret, however, as Britain’s Information Commissioner has swatted down a Freedom of Information request for information on the size of the BBC’s van fleet and the technology used.

shouldn't that be source, then again perhaps it was deliberate, sauce is right

[EDDIE51]

emmie it is very simple, they have a list of addresses where there is no licence and they just send someone round to knock on your door and ask if you have a TV. They try to get you to admit you have a TV and if you say 'No' they ask to come in and look round to check.