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[Andy B]

.... then denying them entry to the property when they turn up.

AFAIK they can only request entry. A lad I worked with had a detector van turn up at his door step, he answered the door,

'Good evening Sir, do you have a TV?'

'Er .... No' he replies ............. telly blarring away in the background 

'Can we come & check?'

'No!' 

'I suggest a licence might be a good idea.'

'OK' 

[Dishevelled Den]

Based on a few months I spent without either a TV licence or a TV, they constantly pester those without one with increasingly threatening letters until they give up and get one anyway. No detection required. Used to have great fun writing letters back to them suggesting, amongst other less repeatable things, that they come and check my non-existent installation, then denying them entry to the property when they turn up.

they constantly pester those without one with increasingly threatening letters until they give up and get one anyway. No detection required

This is rather good example – amongst the many - of the faceless bureaucracy operating with what is, effectively, carte blanche.

No real world standards, no effective supervision, no prospect of sanction should any individual’s behaviour be questioned and most worryingly, no fear.

[MaxV6]

IT IS NOT THE BBC.


THE BBC DOES NOT HAVE A LIST OF ALL ADDRESSES WITHOUT A LICENSE.

The BBC does NOT run around chasing people for it...

(signed, an ex BBC engineer.... fed up with people assigning blame and criticism where it is not due....    )

[freecall666]

Officially you would still need a licence. Frighteningly the BBC wanted to make everyone with an internet connection be forced to have a tv licence.
Also wrongly the bbc has a list of all properties theat don't have a tv licence. Now I could be wrong that smacks of big brother.

I believe this is so, not sure they have detector vans now...

no its not vans its cars had on on street other week, drove up our street and our street is a dead end road. got stuck trying to turn round and asked me to move my car so said no its on my drive ask one of them over there.

[zirk]

A TV licence is required to watch or record any live TV per house hold, be it through any method or media, ie, TV transmissions, Sky, Sat, Internet, Mobile including recording devices, tape, dvd, CD, Hardrive, Game Consoles etc.

You dont need a Licence to watch "Catch Up" TV, ie, non live, BBCiplayer, SeeSaw recorded media, or a Tape or DVD as long as it was recorded from another house hold who had a Licence at the time of recording. However if you have any equipment that is capable of receiving live TV, whether plug in or detuned, they will still try for a prosecution.

I can see going down the SORN avenue myself in the future, where you have to declare 'I dont need a Licence' or face a fixed penalty!

Chris.

[Dishevelled Den]

I can see going down the SORN avenue myself in the future, where you have to declare 'I dont need a Licence' or face a fixed penalty!

Chris.

With the determination of government, local government, NGO's and any other arm of the national bureaucracy (elected or not) to impose an all encompassing control of our every move, I can see this happening quite readily.

[Dishevelled Den]

IT IS NOT THE BBC.


THE BBC DOES NOT HAVE A LIST OF ALL ADDRESSES WITHOUT A LICENSE.

The BBC does NOT run around chasing people for it...

(signed, an ex BBC engineer.... fed up with people assigning blame and criticism where it is not due....    )

  I'm glad you got that out of your system Max.

[Martin_1962]

I think portable is exempt as are gaming / home cinema / DVDs only (no aerial) setups

[Vamps]

I think portable is exempt as are gaming / home cinema / DVDs only (no aerial) setups

Nope......

[Turk]

I don't know if it was an urban myth regarding detector vans being non effective if they are not there p!ssing in the wind maybe someone can confirm?

I remember a detector van regularly parked up for the weekend in Ravenhill, Swansea. The rear area was always completely empty, no fixtures or fittings at all.
I think these vans were just driven around in the hope of scaring those without a TV licence into buying a licence. 
   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NmdUcmLFkw&feature=player_embedded  ( yeah right !)

[cam2502]

i am very proud to say i havnt had a tv license for at least 15 years now. heres to the next 15.

[blackviper90210]

I don't know if it was an urban myth regarding detector vans being non effective if they are not there p!ssing in the wind maybe someone can confirm?

I remember a detector van regularly parked up for the weekend in Ravenhill, Swansea. The rear area was always completely empty, no fixtures or fittings at all.
I think these vans were just driven around in the hope of scaring those without a TV licence into buying a licence. 
   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NmdUcmLFkw&feature=player_embedded  ( yeah right !)

You sure it was stolen and dumped???..... oh no thats Townill/Mayhill 

[skyblue]

i am very proud to say i havnt had a tv license for at least 15 years now. heres to the next 15.

Bloody Jocks.......... Thight, Ducks backside  spring to mind 

[Turk]

I don't know if it was an urban myth regarding detector vans being non effective if they are not there p!ssing in the wind maybe someone can confirm?

I remember a detector van regularly parked up for the weekend in Ravenhill, Swansea. The rear area was always completely empty, no fixtures or fittings at all.
I think these vans were just driven around in the hope of scaring those without a TV licence into buying a licence. 
   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NmdUcmLFkw&feature=player_embedded  ( yeah right !)

You sure it was stolen and dumped???..... oh no thats Townill/Mayhill 

Aye, get it right mun !!   

[Mr Skrunts]

I don't know if it was an urban myth regarding detector vans being non effective if they are not there p!ssing in the wind maybe someone can confirm?

My ex's mum dated a guy that works for them, so based on what I was told by him in the 80's they know the distance, and height from ground of each tv switched on the house, they also checked the angle (height/distance etc) then knocked on the door and told them what they were watching.


They generally sent some out on foot after several letters/reminders and if that fails then out goes the van.  He alao added it was quite a dangerous job and that he had been ataacked 3 times and they were trained not to retaliate. 

25 years on I bet the vans are quite sophicated.