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Sunday, 18 December 2011

TV Licensing: If They Bully You, Phone the Police


It's reassuring to see one Bristol MP taking on the bullies of the television licence fee collection agents employed by Capita (MP claims TV Licensing firm 'harasses' people without sets – Evening Post, November 28).

I had cause to complain about their harassment and intimidation concerning a property I manage which was empty for some time. The enforcement officers were regularly sending threatening letters to the address, stating in large type "Official warning, enforcement officers have been authorised to visit the property because the address does not have a TV licence", even though the property owner had informed them several times that no television receiving equipment was at the premises, and their letters were causing her worry.

Anyone suffering constant hounding by TV Licensing where no TV licence is legally required, should be aware, the enforcement division has no right to be informed where no television receiving equipment is not present. Also enforcement officials have no special powers to enter a property without an authorised search warrant, and then only with police present.

From my own experience TV Licensing enforcement division serves no credit on it's employer the BBC and I would advise anyone who suffers unwarranted bullying from TV Licensing to make a formal complaint to the police of harassment of another and demand compensation if you feel their threatening letters have caused you unnecessary worry or distress.

Gerald Gannaway

Knowle Park

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