Over 500 TV licence dodgers

Over 500 TV licence dodgers in Rochdale were caught watching the box without paying up in the first six months of this year.

New figures from TV Licensing show that 530 homes had no licence, compared with 670 in neighbouring Oldham.

Along with 4,000 in Manchester, they helped make up 197,000 across the UK evading the fee.

But TV Licensing say the rate is still low, with almost 95 per cent of properties correctly licensed.

Tim Downs, TV Licensing spokesman for the North, said: “While the vast majority of people in the UK pay their licence fee, to be fair to those who pay, we have to be firm with those who try to get away without paying.

“We take TV Licence evasion very seriously and we will not hesitate to prosecute if people continue to break the law.

“However, we do understand some people may find it difficult to pay their licence fee in one go, which is why we offer numerous ways to spread the cost, including a weekly cash payment plan, a savings card and monthly Direct Debit scheme, which can all be set up very quickly online.”